‘55 million Nigerians lack access to portable water’

AS the world commemorated the World Water Day yesterday, WaterAid Nigeria has said about 55 million Nigerians, representing 29 per cent of the population lack access to potable water.

It, however, called for urgent action from the Federal Government and the international community to include safe water and sanitation in their plans for dealing with the impact of climate change.

A statement by WaterAid’s Communication Director, Oluseyi Abdul Malik, said: “There are currently about 55 million people in Nigeria – 29 per cent of the population – who do not even have a basic water pump or covered well close to home, which is making it much harder to cope with the growing impacts of climate change.”

He added: “Everyone needs water to survive.”

Ensuring that everyone has a source of safe water they can rely on whatever the weather, is the vital first line of defence against the growing threat of climate change. The most immediate and widespread impacts of climate change are felt through water – extreme droughts, sea level rises, more frequent floods and powerful storms, all of which threaten people’s access to safe water.”