World Water Day: Country Director Decry 70 Million and 114 Million Affected by lack of accessible Water

By Jerry Jatdul

The Country Director TASTE, Nigeria, Mr Nuhu Yakubu Chayi has disclosed that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water,and 114million lack access to basic sanitation facilities and water is the basis resource needed to ensure sanitation services .

Speaking during his opening Address at Eliel Event Center Gold and Base, ,Nuhu Chayi expressed pleasure with the support from communities in Plateau State . 

He stated that this annual event serves as  reminder of the vital importance of water in our lives and the urgent need or protect this precious resource.

This year, we gather under the theme “Leveraging on Water for Peace,” highlighting the significant role that water plays in promoting peace and stability in our communities. Water is a fundamental human right, and access to clean and safe water is essential for the wellbeing of individuals and communities. 

However, the United Nations World water Development Report 2023 states that about 2 billion people around the world do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, and approximately 3.6 billion people — 46% of the world’s population — lack adequate sanitation services, the World Bank 2023 report estimated that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, and 114 million lack access to basic sanitation facilities and water is the basic resource needed to ensure sanitation services.

According to him, Plateau State falls within this category, while North Central Nigeria was rated worst on open defecation with Kogi State leading, and followed by Plateau State.

 We have the opportunity to reflect on the power of water as a catalyst for peace-building. By understanding and addressing the challenges related to water management, we can foster cooperation, collaboration,to seeing to the completion of this project and also support the government to do more.

Nuhu pointed out that legislation is an important component of water resources management. 

He stressed that the 2019 Plateau State Water Sector Law has brought about a fundamental development where key agencies were created to support the ministry of water resources in ensuring adequate and continuous supply of clean and safe water. Continuous interaction with this law and amendment to the law is critical for smooth achievement of set objectives for the people. 

Nuhu Chayi  urges everyone present here to pay attention to the keynote address that will be delivered and also participate actively in the discussions on the current water law for positive feedback.

 This will ensure the 2030 target achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 for Plateau State.

TASTE Nigeria sampled 3 LGA (Jos South, Mangu and Langtang North) of Plateau State in 2023 to map out and generate Global Position Services (GPS) coordinates for all public boreholes. 

The mapping came up to 89 Solar boreholes, 143 Electric boreholes and 952 Hand pumps. Only 528 (45%) were functional, while 656 (55%) were not functional. From 2023 to date, TASTE provided 51 Solar powered boreholes and restored 174 broken down boreholes, trained and set water management committees for each of the facility for sustainability and continuous service.

As we commemorate World Water Day 2024 today, let us renew our commitment to protecting and conserving water resources. 

Nuhu Chayi revealed that let us strive for sustainable practices that promote water conservation and efficient water use.World Water Day: Country Director Decry 70 Million and 114 Million Affected by lack of accessible Water

The Country Director TASTE, Nigeria, Mr Nuhu Yakubu Chayi has disclosed that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water,and 114million lack access to basic sanitation facilities and water is the basis resource needed to ensure sanitation services .

Speaking during his opening address at Eliel Event Center Gold and Base ,Nuhu Chayi expressed pleasure with the support from communities in Plateau State . 

He stated that this annual event serves as  reminder of the vital importance of water in our lives and the urgent need or protect this precious resource.

This year, we gather under the theme “Leveraging on Water for Peace,” highlighting the significant role that water plays in promoting peace and stability in our communities. Water is a fundamental human right, and access to clean and safe water is essential for the wellbeing of individuals and communities. 

However, the United Nations World water Development Report 2023 states that about 2 billion people around the world do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, and approximately 3.6 billion people — 46% of the world’s population — lack adequate sanitation services, the World Bank 2023 report estimated that 70 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water, and 114 million lack access to basic sanitation facilities and water is the basic resource needed to ensure sanitation services.

According to him, Plateau State falls within this category, while North Central Nigeria was rated worst on open defecation with Kogi State leading, and followed by Plateau State.

 We have the opportunity to reflect on the power of water as a catalyst for peace-building. By understanding and addressing the challenges related to water management, we can foster cooperation, collaboration,to seeing to the completion of this project and also support the government to do more.

Nuhu pointed out that legislation is an important component of water resources management. 

He stressed that the 2019 Plateau State Water Sector Law has brought about a fundamental development where key agencies were created to support the ministry of water resources in ensuring adequate and continuous supply of clean and safe water. Continuous interaction with this law and amendment to the law is critical for smooth achievement of set objectives for the people. 

Nuhu Chayi  urges everyone present here to pay attention to the keynote address that will be delivered and also participate actively in the discussions on the current water law for positive feedback.

 This will ensure the 2030 target achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 for Plateau State.

TASTE Nigeria sampled 3 LGA (Jos South, Mangu and Langtang North) of Plateau State in 2023 to map out and generate Global Position Services (GPS) coordinates for all public boreholes. 

The mapping came up to 89 Solar boreholes, 143 Electric boreholes and 952 Hand pumps. Only 528 (45%) were functional, while 656 (55%) were not functional. From 2023 to date, TASTE provided 51 Solar powered boreholes and restored 174 broken down boreholes, trained and set water management committees for each of the facility for sustainability and continuous service.

As we commemorate World Water Day 2024 today, let us renew our commitment to protecting and conserving water resources. 

Nuhu Chayi revealed that let us strive for sustainable practices that promote water conservation and efficient water use.