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52 Million Nigerians Lack Access To Potable Water – Minister

On 27 March, girls carry buckets filled with water, in the Kwanaya camp for internally displaced people, outside Yola, the capital of Adamawa, a state in the country’s north-east. Other children, women and men are gathered nearby. UNICEF supports the operation of a small clinic and helps maintain a supply of fresh drinking water in the camp. In March 2015 in Nigeria, 15.5 million people, including 7.3 million children, are affected by the continuing crisis in the country’s north-eastern region. More than 1.2 million Nigerians have fled their homes as a result of violence and attacks by Boko Haram insurgents that have escalated since the beginning of 2015. Many of the displaced, most of whom are children and women, are sheltering with in host communities that have limited resources, and in formal and informal camps. All are in urgent need basic supplies, health and nutrition services, and critical water sanitation and hygiene support to prevent the spread of disease. Over 150,000 people – the vast majority children and women – have also fled to neighbouring Cameroon, Chad and Niger, further straining vulnerable communities – some of which are already facing food insecurity and malnutrition, are prone to disease outbreaks and natural disasters, and often already host hundreds of thousands of refugees, returnees and migrants who have escaped violence and hardship throughout the region. The impact of the crisis on children and women is of particular concern. Many of them have lost their homes and belongings –escaping with only the clothing they were wearing; and some have walked for days – or even weeks – to find refuge. Many children in the region have been traumatized and are in need of psychosocial support. They have witnessed violence and atrocities, including seeing parents and siblings slaughtered by Boko Haram insurgents; and have been exposed to or have experienced violence and brutality. Their homes have been burned and their schools have bee

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, yesterday said 52.7million Nigerians have no access to potable water.

According to Leadership, He spoke while unveiling the Water Roadmap of the ministry tagged: ‘Immediate and long term strategies for the water sector 2016-2030.’

He said the roadmap was specifically designed to address the situation and enhance 100 percent access to potable water by the year 2030, when the country’s population is expected to reach 257million.

He highlighted some of the policy documents of the roadmap to include; establishment of a policy and regulatory framework for the water sector, development of and implementation of a National Water Supply and Sanitation Programme to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), development of a blueprint to strengthen the River Basin Development Authorities as enablers for food security and socio-economic development among others.

The minister urged relevant stakeholders in the sector to assist in actualizing the roadmap.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Rabi S. Jimeta had said the ministry had articulated the detailed implementation plan, the execution of which she said was fully on course.

In his remarks, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said the agriculture sector heavily relies on water for its sustainability, adding that if the road map was fully executed, it would boost the nation’s food sufficiency and create jobs.

 

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