150,000 children die annually in Nigeria from unsafe water— Osinbajo

ABUJA—Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday said about 150,000 children die of diarrhea-related diseases annually for drinking unsafe water. He also regretted that Nigeria did not meet the targets of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, for water and sanitation, attributing that to the inability of the stakeholders in the sector to access available funds.

Osinbajo Osinbajo spoke at the unveiling of the National Water policies and launching of the Partnership for Expanded Water Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, PEWASH, organized by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources at Shehu Yar’Adua Center, Abuja, yesterday. Recalling that successive governments had accelerated access to water by 69 per cent, and improved sanitation to 29 per cent, the vice president, however, said it was a far cry from what was needed.

He said: “It is also a well-known fact that Nigeria did not achieve the targets of Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, for water and sanitation. Some of the reasons adduced for this include primarily, the lack of effective coordination among stakeholders and the inability to harness the required funds. “Consequently, about 150,000 children under the age of 5 die annually from diarrhea-related diseases that are mostly traceable to unsafe drinking water.

The situation is even more depressing in the rural areas where polluted ponds and streams remain the only source of water for drinking and other household chores.  This trend must change! “In Nigeria, successive governments, in collaboration with development partners, have contributed to efforts geared towards improving access to water supply and sanitation services, and successes have been recorded in a number of areas, with access to water supply currently at 69 per cent, and sanitation at 29 per cent.

“This is still a far cry from what is needed. Indeed, within an ever increasing population and a drive to self-sufficiency in food production, the demand for water supply and sanitation service will continue to increase thereby requiring an innovative and holistic approach towards closing the access gaps.” Osinbajo, who expressed happiness about the development, thanked the Ministry for coming up with the policy.

“The Ministry of Water Resources has concluded work on the National Water Resources Policy and the National Irrigation Policy and was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council. “It is expected that with the implementation of PEWASH, we hope to attain our targets of increased rural water supply and sanitation and health as well as make positive impact on economic growth and human development,” he said.

Earlier in his presentation at the event, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State pledged the commitment of state governors to work with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in addressing challenges posed by water resources management in Nigeria. Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, said the ministry had recorded tremendous achievements in efforts to reposition the water resources sector.

He listed some of the achievements as developing a framework for the commercialization of the river basins and the enhancement of partnerships aimed at moving the sector forward.

The minister said the target of PEWASH was to improve public hygiene and tackle poverty through improved water resources management in Nigeria.

(Vanguard)