TITLE: WATER

WORLD WATER DAY: 63.2 MILLION NIGERIANS AT RISK OF WATER BORNE DISEASES

Under the theme ‘Sustainable Development’, the year 2015 provides an important opportunity to consolidate and build upon the previous World Water Days to highlight water’s role in sustainable development agenda.

Nigeria as a country under the United Nations celebrated the world water day with the theme ‘’in the face of degradation’’. Stakeholders in the water sector in Nigeria took this message to the streets of the nation’s capital, Abuja, as part of activities to mark the day. They expressed their determination to ensure that access to water and sanitization is provided for the rural poor.

In Gbagada General Hospital, Mr. Adebayo, a patient interviewed expressed concern about the state of the sources of water and the fact that some areas in Lagos state still get water daily from wells.

Speaking to Dr. Anita Awosika of the Gbagada General Hospital, she posited that ‘’this lack of water in Nigeria is becoming a major problem to the development of the country, even the’ pure water’ people take are not altogether pure. It is important then that people should learn to boil their water before drinking, so as to prevent cholera and other water borne diseases.’’

The Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has urged the federal government and Nigerians to tackle diarrhea which is a major cause of death among young children as 63.2 million people in Nigeria do not have access to safe water. Sarah Ochekpe, the Minister of Water resources at the celebration of world water day in Abuja said federal government is consolidating its efforts on fixing the issue and providing good water in all parts of the country.