THE GROWING POPULATION AND THE PROVISION OF POTABLE WATER

BY: HUSSEINA BANGSHIKA

The term “water is life” is not only familiar but appropriate, and globally accepted. In July last year, the UN General Assembly recognized the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation, as a human right, essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights. It is unfortunate however, that as an essential resource for life and good health, water is not easily accessible for daily needs, for at least about two thirds of the global population. The situation seems to worsen by the day with population increase and greater demand for water equally for households, the agriculture industry and industrial uses. When such pressure on available potable water remains constant, it is the poor that are always on the receiving end as competition for resources is always powered by the pricing mechanism. Throughout the eighties and nineties, East African countries had encountered various degrees of drought leading to acute food and water scarcity.
Globally, there have been instances of water shortages with severe consequences on the livelihood and survival of several communities. The World Bank estimates that demand for water will exceed supply by 40% by the year 2030. Already about 1.8 billion people live in water scarce regions, while two third of the global population could suffer water related stress by 2025. Though Nigeria has not experienced severe drought in the last 25 years, human activities and climatic changes are already threatening some of its water endowments like the Lake Chad. In the eighties and nineties, most of the state capitals in Nigeria could boast of pipe borne water. A massive rural-urban migration ensued, putting extra strain on existing water infrastructure in those capitals. Since then, rural-urban migration has been on the increase with an attendant shortage in water supply. Besides, while most departments vested with the responsibilities of providing potable water concentrated on urban areas, the rural populace is left largely unattended to. In most cases, these rural dwellers depend on hand dug wells, streams, ponds, rivers, and boreholes. The lack of this essential of life has led to the emergence of water vendors who hawk water from street to street and house to house. Before now, these water vendors were seen only in villages and few urban centers.
The situation has put many communities in both rural and even urban settlements at the mercy of water vendors. It is a fact that building plans these days include boreholes, as if to say there is no hope that water resources departments can fulfill their mandate to Nigerians. Even though large sums of money are reportedly allocated for water, the result is not evident. Experts have often associated the scarcity of potable water in most Nigerian cities and towns to corrupt practices, coupled with the limited capacity by national and local water departments to implement water projects. The United Nations human development report estimated that failure to invest in water and sanitation was costing sub Saharan Africa about 5 percent of its GDP, with similar consequences on the health indices of its people. Nigeria is not short of fresh surface water which can be available for its citizen’s benefit. All that is required is genuine assessment of the water needs of the people, allocation of the resources needed, and the appointment of people of proven capacity to implement. Until this is done, water borne disease will continue to ravage the people and other aspects of development impeded. Since the vast surface water available in the country could be treated and piped for public use, government should pursue that vigorously and regulate the sinking of bore holes to save underground water for the rainy day.
Nigeria should learn from the water crises other countries had experienced in the past, to safeguard it from any form of severe shortage in the future.

Source: FRCN daily Commentary

SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.

By AMEH MONDAY
Corruption has been a canker worm that has bedeviled all societies from time immemorial with various measures been put in place to eradicate it. . It was in realization of the fact that corruption is a global phenomenon and the danger it portends, that the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2003 set aside the 9th of December of every year as International Anti-Corruption Day in order to raise awareness about corruption menace and the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption. On this day the world over, various activities are lined up to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day which include Musicals and plays to publicize the message of fighting against corruption ,Essay competitions on corruption and The dissemination of posters, flyers and other anti corruption enlightenment and education materials.

Nigeria is amongst the 140 nations that signed the Convention document on the 9th of December, 2003 and accordingly ratified it on 14th December, 2004. As clearly encapsulated in the United Nations Convention, it has been one of the major problems bedeviling Nigeria which accounts for the rot and decay in all facet of our political, and social-economic life. It is equally responsible for the retardation in our developmental pursuits. The recent rating by the Berlin based Transparency International in its 2011 annual Corruption Perception Index report where it rated Nigeria 143rd out of 183 nations should not be seen as an indictment but as a challenge to spur government and propel the anti-graft agencies as well as all Nigerians to show serious commitment to the crusade against corruption. The menace of corruption is a global phenomenon which is not peculiar to Nigeria but the proportion it has assumed here is alarming.


It is incumbent on members of the National Assembly to sharpen their oversight function in the coming year as it will go a long way in reducing incidences of corruption.With the passing of the Freedom of Information act, the Media, Civil Societies and indeed all Nigerians should seize the opportunity the law provides by acting as whistle blowers in unmasking all acts of corruption. Government may also consider the establishment of Special Anti Corruption Courts to handle corruption cases as the delay in our courts nowadays, owing to frivolous injunctions and frequent adjournments do not augur well for the fight against corruption. The ICPC and EFCC must be commended for their relentless effort at leading the crusade against corruption, financial crimes and other related offences through their investigation and prosecution of corrupt Nigerians. More importantly, they must increase their public enlightenment and education advocacies through seminars and workshops which are aimed at educating the public.

Undoubtedly, there is room for improvement, and as we step into year 2012 with hope, the two agencies should redouble their efforts for the onerous task of eradicating corruption. There is also the need for synergy between all the anti-graft agencies as well as other law enforcement agencies to ensure success of the anti corruption fight. On the part of government, they should ensure adequate funding of the agencies to enable them execute their mandate effectively. There should be no government interference no matter whose ox is gored. It is obvious that the crusade against graft in Nigeria under our democratic dispensation, has been given a boost and all hands must be on deck to ensure that corruption which is the bane of our development is eradicated totally, or reduced to the barest minimum. Once this is done, the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as well as the Vision 2020 and the Transformation Agenda of the present administration will be actualized.

Source: FRCN daily commentary