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WaterAid Nigeria, an international non-profit organisation, has issued a call to action, urging governments at all levels to prioritize the provision of clean water and sanitation services to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 target.
In her goodwill message at the commemoration of World Water Day 2023 held at the Babs Fafunwa Millennium Schools, Ojodu, Lagos, WaterAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Ms. Evelyn Mere, called on stakeholders to do more in addressing the plight of people living without access to safe water globally.
Represented by Executive Director, Humanity Family Foundation For Peace and Development (HUFFPED), Mr. Henry Adenigba, Mere commended the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources for its efforts in providing water sanitation and hygiene services in the state.
Continuing on the commemoration titled: ‘Accelerating Change’, she called for the need to end water, sanitation and hygiene crisis together highlighting the pressing need for urgent action to address the global water and sanitation crisis.
The Country Director in her statement to commemorate the day, emphasised the urgency of the situation, pointing out that, “Water is critical to overcoming many of the biggest challenges the world faces today and only by seeing the links between all the ways we need water-for health, food, security, climate resilience can we solve the water crisis.”
She also said about 1billion people are risking cholera in 43 countries because of fragile water and sanitation infrastructure.
“The latest report by World Health Organisation (WHO) reveal an outbreak of cholera in 22 countries worldwide with 1 billion people in 43 countries at risk, and the upsurge countries where water and sanitation infrastructure is fragile, especially in countries within Africa.
“Invariably, this points to the importance of water, sanitation and hygiene as crucial in helping communities build resilience to the effects of climate change, we have proved that real progress is possible with increased access to WASH achieved in the last 20 years. But this is still too slow. Even more so, the outbreak threatens to reverse progress,” Mere stressed.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Engineer Olalekan Sodehinde at the event, emphasised the importance of speeding up efforts towards achieving sustainable water management practices.
Represented by Engineer (Mrs.) Omolanke Taiwo, Shodehinde revealed that the Lagos State government has partnered with players in the private sector to promote sustainable water management in the state.
“This year’s theme of Accelerating Change emphasis the need to speed up efforts towards achieving sustainable water management practices. Water is vital resource for life on earth and its importance cannot be over emphasised. However, despite its crucial role in sustaining life, access to safe and clean water remains a significant challenge worldwide,” he said.
He however appreciated the presence of WaterAid, Nigeria and others. “We are honoured to have with us here representatives of WaterAid Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company, School Environmental Health Club (SEHC), members from primary and secondary school and Ojodu LCDA, in the spirit of collaboration,” he said.
The event was attended by officials of the Lagos State officials, students, staffers of the schools within the premises, and members of the civil society.
Students of the schools made presentations on water and sanitation to educate the audience.
