Group seeks end to indiscriminate digging of boreholes

The Rite Place Health Initiative (RPHI) has cautioned against the indiscriminate digging of boreholes across communities in the country.

Executive Director of RPHI, Dr. Chukwumezie Okolo, issued this warning while speaking at the 2024 International Water Conference in Abuja.

He insisted that this practice poses grave danger to the environment and cannot guarantee access to quality water.

Okolo disclosed plans by the health initiative to partner with the government and the private sector to improve access to quality water in the country.

Stressing the need to focus more on quality drinking water rather than just improving access, he expressed optimism that access to quality water will help Nigeria fight waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea.

He said, “We want people to understand that cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases are related to the quality of water they drink, so that they will be able to demand quality and not just access.”

Acknowledging that the government alone cannot provide access to quality drinking water for all Nigerians, he advocated for a community participation model where the community agrees to have a single borehole that is well-regulated and conforms to best practices.

According to Okolo, the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) is not just about access but also safety, sustainability, and the right to quality, efficient, and affordable water.

He explained that the gathering aims to provide policy direction for both the government and the private sector to enhance access to quality water.

Okolo stressed the need for Nigerians to start taking responsibility for the water they drink and advocated for access to spring water that is free of chemical or biological pollutants.

Amb. Angonimi David-Imeh, founder of Hope Raisers Global Foundation, stated that they have partnered with Rite Place Health to extend the message to rural communities so that people will start demanding access to quality water and not just any water.

She noted that both organisations have brought together major stakeholders in the quality space to emphasise improving access to quality water and tackling waterborne diseases in Nigeria.