Friday, May 23, 2025
26 C
Lagos

Access to Safe Water Still a Challenge – WaterAid

 

By Fabian Ekeruche

WaterAid Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, on Wednesday said that access to sustainable and equitable safe drinking water remained a challenge in Nigeria.

Mrs Evelyn Mere, WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, stated this in a good will message presented at the 2021 Lagos International Water Conference.

The theme of the conference was: “Water Security and Investment Opportunities in Megacities: A Case of Lagos State.

Mere disclosed that over 60 million people in Nigeria lacked access to basic water supply.

“Poor drinking water quality and a lack of equity in access compound the problem.

” Our changing climate is making life harder for the poorest people in Nigeria, who are already struggling to get clean water right,” Mere said.

She said that the water demand in Lagos by 2025 was estimated to be about 780 million gallons per day.

Mere noted that an annual sector spending of about N300 billion was required to meet the huge water demand.

She said that the theme of the conference was not only timely but crucial to tackle the challenges in the sector.

“We estimate the total cost of achieving SDG6 in Nigeria to be 2.1 billion dollars a year in capital operations and maintenance.

“Comparatively, current public spending from both government and donors stands at only 393 million dollars.

“There is, therefore, a massive annual financing gap to address,” Mere said.

She noted that the cost of not investing in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector exceeds the cost of investing.

According to her, it is impossible to quantify the impacts of poor water and sanitation on livelihoods, health, child development, productivity, education, gender, and security outcomes.

Mere said that WaterAid was proud to partner the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Water Regulatory Commission to address the gaps in the sector.

She said the partnership would not only regulate the WASH sector in Lagos state and as well mobilise multiple stakeholders in addressing the most pressing need of the WASH sector globally. (NAN)

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

BudgIT Uncovers N7tn Projects Inserted by NA in 2025 FG Budget

BudgIT, a civic tech organisation promoting transparency and accountability...

Life Insurance Explained: Why Staying the Course Matters More Than Early Withdrawal

In response to recent media inquiries highlighting common misconceptions...

NCC Pays Courtesy Visit to NCA in Ghana

L-R: Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications...

SanlamAllianz Nigerian Integration Sparks Industry Interest

Two of the biggest names in global and African...

FG: Economic Reforms Driving Growth, Investor Confidence

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar...

Topics

FG Tasked on National Protein-led Nutrition Policy

The Federal Government has been called upon to urgently...

Stanbic IBTC Bank PMI: Output Falls at Fastest Pace in 19 Months amid Intense Cost Pressures

Severe inflationary pressures caused an intensification of the downturn...

Global Airlines Financial Monitor: August 2016

The latest financial results from Q2 2016 point to...

Nigeria to be Major Player at Africa Investment Forum 2019

Nigeria will feature significantly in the 2019 Africa Investment...

WRC-23: Nigeria Signs Updated Radio Regulations to Deepen Global Connectivity

L-R: Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NC)), Engr. Ubale...

Apple May Launch Fifth-Generation iPad in September: Report

Apple is expected to launch the fifth-generation iPad in...

Mediacraft: Laura Oloyede is New GM, To Drive Next Growth Phase

Mediacraft Associates Limited, a leading full-service public relations and...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img