70 million Nigerians lack access to potable water – Minister

Posted by admin Headlines Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

February 24, 2012 by Ifeanyi Onuba, Abuja

Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of Water Resources

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, on Thursday revealed that about 70 million Nigerians lacked access to potable water.

Ochekpe disclosed this during her meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi Shoji, to sign an agreement for a N2.42bn grant to increase water supply coverage in five states.

The states are Kebbi, Niger, Taraba, Ondo and Enugu.

The grant was facilitated by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency.

For over 10 years, the JICA had provided funding support of N13.37bn for the provision of water and capacity building in the country

Specifically, the agreement is aimed at eliminating water borne diseases and supply of drilling equipment.

It will also enable the Japanese government to provide technical support for the formulation of a borehole construction plan, data management as well maintenance of rural water supply facilities.

Ochekpe said the low access to potable water by Nigerians was unacceptable to the current administration, adding that the Federal Government would collaborate with stakeholders to increase access to water supply in the country.

She said, “The current water supply service coverage in the country is 58 per cent, which is about 87 million people. This translates to lack of potable water for about 70 million people. In the rural areas, only 42 per cent have access to potable water supply.

“Many of our children are also dying of diseases associated with water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea and river blindness. This is unacceptable to the current administration and is, therefore, focussing more attention on the water sector.”

Also speaking at the event, Shoji said that since the request for water supply had increased in recent years, the next phase of the programme would cover 16 states, including the Federal Capital Territory/.

-Punchwp_posts