A water sources and growth professional, Michael Ale, has that clear and protected water has all the time been a luxurious the Nigerian plenty can’t afford. lamented
Ale, who disclosed that getting clear and protected water has turn into costly and solely reasonably priced to the wealthy, declared that the federal government should make investments closely within the water sector to make sure that the plenty can entry protected and clear water.
The engineer said this on the event of the celebration of World Water Day, scheduled to carry on March 22, 2025.
Ale mentioned: “Africans and particularly Nigerians are reminded of the stark actuality that clear and protected water is a luxurious solely accessible to the wealthy. The poor and weak are left to endure from the dearth of entry to this primary human proper.”
Stressing that the theme for this yr’s World Water Day is “Glacier Preservation,” Ale, who’s the co-founder and President of the Secure Water Africa Group Initiative (SWACI), careworn that the challenges going through poor Nigerians and Africans in accessing clear water are quite a few.
“One of many main points is the excessive value of drilling boreholes, which is commonly the one supply of fresh water in lots of communities.
The price of drilling a borehole, for instance, in Nigeria can vary from ₦1,500,000 to ₦2,600,000, relying on the placement and depth of the borehole. This can be a sum that’s far past the attain of many Nigerians residing in poverty,” he mentioned.
Ale added that his group’s focus is to commemorate World Water Day with numerous packages geared toward elevating consciousness of the present water disaster plaguing Africa.
He mentioned: “One other essential situation is the frequent breakdown of borehole infrastructure. Many neighborhood boreholes, usually donated by the federal government, curiosity teams, philanthropists, or politicians, turn into non-functional shortly after commissioning on account of poor upkeep.
Moreover, government-owned water remedy vegetation and pipelines are in a state of disrepair, forcing tens of millions to depend on costly or contaminated water sources. This has led to the rampant unfold of waterborne ailments reminiscent of cholera and diarrhea, that are clear indicators of developmental stagnation on account of insufficient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services.
“This example can also be exacerbated by international warming, which makes it more and more tough to entry clear water.”
The President of SWACI careworn the necessity for revolutionary and sustainable approaches to water administration. One such initiative is the Borehole Property Administration System (BAMS), a digital platform designed to assist borehole operators handle their water sources extra effectively, lowering operational prices and enhancing entry to scrub water.
“The introduction of BAMS, together with different revolutionary options just like the Mission Final result Validation Aggregator (POVA), requires sturdy assist from personal buyers, authorities our bodies, NGOs, volunteers, and water associations. These stakeholders should step up efforts to make sure environment friendly water administration, notably in underserved communities,” Ale added.
He additionally careworn the essential position of presidency companies and NGOs in resolving Nigeria’s water disaster. “They have to collaborate to offer monetary and technical assist to communities and borehole operators to ensure a sustainable provide of fresh water,” he said.
“Ale, who additionally serves because the Chairman of Male Built-in Science, a famend borehole drilling firm, recommended collective efforts reminiscent of these of the Ibadan Descendant Union (IDU) in Texas, USA. By the WATER ROOT CONNECT (WRC) program, the IDU has constructed near 22 solar-powered boreholes within the Ibadan neighborhood, offering reduction to residents who’ve lengthy been disadvantaged of such a significant useful resource. He praised the initiative as an indication of dedication and assist, emphasizing that the federal government alone can’t remedy Nigeria’s water issues. He urged different well-meaning Nigerians and teams to emulate the IDU’s efforts.
“As we mirror on the importance of World Water Day, it’s important to acknowledge that water is first a social good earlier than being an financial commodity. Entry to scrub water is a elementary human proper, and it’s the collective accountability of all stakeholders to make sure that this proper is upheld for each Nigerian, no matter financial standing,” Ale asserted.
He additionally referred to as on personal borehole homeowners and initiators to spend money on revolutionary options reminiscent of BAMS and POVA and to assist operators within the water business.
“Authorities companies and NGOs ought to present funding and technical help to make sure the environment friendly operation of water infrastructure. Communities should advocate for accountability in water useful resource administration to forestall additional neglect of important services and make clear and protected water a actuality for all Nigerians,” Ale suggested.
He added: “Collectively, we will make sure that clear and protected water is accessible to all Nigerians and Africans, no matter their socio-economic standing. Let’s make clear water a actuality for all Africans.”
