A Development and Water Resources Expert, Engr. Micheal Ale, has attributed the palpable inaccessibility of clean and safe water to the Nigerian masses, to lack of maintenance culture and economic hardship which has been making it difficult for the middle class Nigerians to afford the luxury of safe and clean water.
Ale, who is also the Co-founder and President of the Safe Water for Africa Community Initiative (SWACI), made this known to newsmen while highlighting numerous challenges facing poor Nigerians in accessing clean and safe water during an interview with journalists to mark this year’s World Water Day.
He recommended urgent massive investment in the water sector by government as the elixir to the problem, and said: “As the world commemorates World Water Day, the harsh reality for millions of Nigerians comes to the forefront—clean and safe water remains a privilege accessible only to the wealthy, while the poor continue to struggle with inadequate access to this fundamental human right.
“One of the primary obstacles is the exorbitant cost of drilling boreholes, which in many communities is the only reliable source of clean water. ”The cost of drilling a borehole ranges between ₦1.5 million and ₦2.6 million, a sum far beyond the means of many Nigerians living in poverty”.
“Another critical issue is the frequent breakdown of borehole infrastructure. Many community boreholes, often donated by the government, groups, philanthropists, or politicians, become non-functional shortly after commissioning due to poor maintenance. Additionally, government-owned water treatment plants and pipelines are in a state of disrepair, forcing millions to rely on expensive or contaminated water sources. This has led to the rampant spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, clear indicators of developmental stagnation due to inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities”, Ale stated.
The President of SWACI therefore emphasized the need for innovative and sustainable approaches to water management. According to him, one of such initiatives is the Borehole Management System Software (BAMS), a digital platform designed to help borehole operators manage their water sources more efficiently, reducing operational costs and improving access to clean water.
“Governments should focus on reviving and maintaining existing boreholes rather than investing in new ones that might also become neglected,” Micheal stated. He further revealed that SWACI, in collaboration with other organizations, has developed solutions to address these infrastructural challenges and improve water accessibility in Nigeria.
“The introduction of BAMS, along with other innovative solutions like the POVA, Project Outcome Validation Aggregator, requires robust support from private investors, government bodies, NGOs, volunteers, and water associations. These stakeholders must step up efforts to ensure efficient water management, particularly in underserved communities”, Ale added.
