Sad as over 5m people in dire need of potable water, others in northeast

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Students of Nigerian Airforce School Maiduguri and their teachers in a group photograph during an event to celebrate 2024 World Water Day.

By Ladi Jossy, Maiduguri

No fewer than five million people are in dire need of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states of northeast Nigeria.

The Sector Coordinator (WASH) in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states, Francois Bellet made this known at an event to mark this year’s World Water Day in Maiduguri on Tuesday.

According to him, the WASH Sector which consists of 42 humanitarian organisations has in collaboration with other partners supported 1.6 million people in Borno state with safe drinking water in 2023.

He said that many internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the region still lack portable water, latrines and other services to improve their well-being.

He opined, “There is need to address this concern because, safe drinking water water is key to addressing WASH related acute vulnerabilities such as germs and other diseases.”he lamented.

UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Phuong Nguyen noted that ensuring reliable access to water is paramount for peaceful coexistence in the North East that is emerging from fifteen years of conflict.

She said that millions of children and families in the region still lack access to safe water and therefore advocated for more investment in the sector.

“There’s an urgent need to increase investments to accelerate progress for both climate friendly water and sanitation services in Borno State and across northeast Nigeria” Nguyen stressed.

The UNICEF Chief explained that initiatives such as the Small-Town Water Scheme have revolutionized water access in conflict-affected communities, demonstrating the power of innovation in addressing complex challenges.

General Manager, Borno state Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Dr Mohammed Aliyu said the state government has constructed over 200 hybrid boreholes, 462 hand pumps and rehabilitated 316 solar powered boreholes across the state in the last five years.

Represented by the Director Administration and supply, Hajiya Hauwa Anas, the GM also said two million are currently being reconnected with clean water, in an effort to achieve SDG Goal 6.

The event was attended by members of Borno state House of Assembly, academia, local and international non-governmental organisations and other partners.