The Imperatives of Fresh Water Provisions and Conservation in the Socio- Economic Development of Nigeria

By Tunde Akingbulugbe

There’s a catchphrase that says: “There’s water everywhere, but not much is fit for drinking.” The challenge of freshwater conservation worldwide is as old as humanity. Even in primitive times, the struggle to control water as a resource has caused decades of war amongst communities, resulting in genocidal behaviors, all in the name of survival. Nature endowed us with water at inception, but the geometric rate of population explosion has made this natural resource scarce. It is an established fact that 70% of the Earth is surrounded by water, but the percentage of freshwater is not only small but also depreciating daily.

The Oxford Dictionary describes freshwater as naturally occurring water that is not salty and is suitable for consumption if it is clean or processed. It can also refer to a body or watercourse of inland freshwater. However, only about 3% of the Earth’s water is freshwater. Shockingly, only about 1.2% can be used as drinking water; the rest is locked up in glaciers, ice caps, and permafrost or buried deep in the ground. This statistic is alarming.

Wikipedia also describes freshwater as any naturally occurring liquid or frozen water containing low concentrations of dissolved salts and other total dissolved solids. The term excludes seawater and brackish water but includes non-salty mineral-rich waters, such as chalybeate springs. Additionally, precipitation like rain, snow, and mist is an important source of freshwater that nature itself provides.

However, to put it in context, there are three basic types of freshwater ecosystems: lentic (slow-moving water, including pools, ponds, and lakes), lotic (faster-moving water, such as streams and rivers), and wetlands (areas where the soil is saturated or inundated for at least part of the time). Freshwater conservation is the management of freshwater resources to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, which is important due to the growing demand for freshwater and the impact of climate change.

Why is freshwater conservation important? Biodiversity! Freshwater ecosystems are home to a rich variety of species, including vertebrates, plants, and other organisms. Freshwater ecosystems provide vital resources for humans, such as clean water and construction materials.

Surprisingly, over time, we have witnessed significant mismanagement of this beautiful and essential natural provision. Allowing freshwater to flow freely without adequate conservation mechanisms is a threat to human survival. However, a trip around various cities and towns in Nigeria reveals that their taps are dry. That is the reality. From the northwest to the northeast, down to the north-central and southern regions, the story is the same. What you’ll find are dilapidated infrastructures left to decay. One wonders how the colonial masters were able to provide limited potable water to cities and towns in the early 1900s.

Due to our lack of maintenance management and culture, most waterworks are in a state of comatose. Children of school age and mothers can be seen searching for water everywhere. Meanwhile, water vendors are profiting from the situation due to long-standing negligence by government officials responsible for providing potable and affordable water to the people. The dispute over the management of Nigeria’s Inland Waterways, which has generated controversy between the federal and state governments, is another challenge.

Systemic Failure and Infrastructure

Systemic failure and weak infrastructure are also significantly impacting freshwater provisions and conservation in Nigeria. Here are some key issues affecting the country:

The Water Infrastructure Challenges:

• Inadequate infrastructure: Nigeria’s water infrastructure is insufficient, leading to scarcity and unequal distribution of water resources.
• Lack of investment: The water sector receives inadequate funding, resulting in neglected maintenance and expansion of existing infrastructure.
• Inefficient management: Poor management and corruption hinder effective water resource management and infrastructure development.

Impact on Freshwater Provisions:

• Limited access to clean water: Approximately 60 million Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water, while 80 million people lack improved sanitation facilities.
• Waterborne diseases: Inadequate water treatment and poor sanitation contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases.
• Economic burden: Water scarcity and poor infrastructure result in significant economic losses, with an estimated 6% of GDP lost due to water scarcity. **The Voice of Nigeria Government **

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Nigeria has implemented several initiatives to conserve and manage freshwater resources. Some of these initiatives include :

• Water Infrastructure Development: The Ministry is working on several dam projects, such as the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam, Mangu Dam, and Adada River Dam, to provide irrigation and power.
• Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme: This World Bank-supported program aims to provide climate-resilient WASH services to communities, promoting water conservation and sanitation.
• Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH): This program expands access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in urban and rural areas.
• Clean Nigeria Campaign: This initiative aims to eliminate open defecation and promote good hygiene practices, with 21 states and 151 Local Government Areas achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
• Flood Mitigation and Management: The Ministry is working to strengthen early warning systems and flood risk management through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
• Irrigation Development: The Ministry is promoting irrigation development to boost agricultural productivity and food security, with projects like the 460 MW Katsina-Ala Dam and the 186 MW Bawarku Dam project on the Benue River.
• Water Resources Management: The Ministry is developing policies and frameworks for integrated water resources management, including the National Water Resources Policy and the Water Resources Bill.
• Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement: The Ministry is engaging with stakeholders, including state governments, development partners, and private sector entities, to enhance water resources management and sanitation services.

These initiatives demonstrate the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring sustainable access to safe and sufficient water for all Nigerians but the implementation will be a difficult venture.

The Voice of Non Governmental Organizations

International organizations have made significant interventions over the years to ensure fresh water provision and preservation in Nigeria. Some notable efforts include :

• World Bank’s SURWASH Program: The World Bank has approved a $700 million credit to support the Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program (SURWASH). This program aims to:
  • Provide 6 million people with basic drinking water services
  • Support 1.4 million people in accessing improved sanitation services
  • Develop improved WASH services in 2,000 schools and healthcare facilities
  • Assist 500 communities in achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status
• UNICEF’s WASH Initiatives: UNICEF works in over 100 countries, including Nigeria, to provide access to clean water and sanitation. In Nigeria, UNICEF focuses on:
  • Constructing and rehabilitating WASH facilities
  • Providing technical assistance to governments for WASH infrastructure maintenance
  • Promoting good hygiene practices
• WaterAid Nigeria’s Efforts: WaterAid Nigeria has been working in the country since 1995 to expand access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Their 2023-2028 strategy aims to:
  • Reach 17 million people with basic WASH services
  • Promote sustainable and climate-resilient WASH solutions
  • Support the government and other partners in improving WASH access for marginalized communities
• Other Organizations: Other organizations, such as Save the Children International, also work in Nigeria to improve access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in areas affected by conflict and displacement.

These interventions demonstrate the commitment of international organizations to improving access to fresh water and sanitation in Nigeria, aligning with the country’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensure a healthy and prosperous future for its citizens.

The Voice of the People /Solutions

The conversation about water being a social service that the government should provide rather than a business concern that yields profit is ongoing. Experts have posited that water, being a lifesaver, requires government investment, especially to align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Providing drinkable water is undoubtedly an expensive venture, and the government cannot do it alone without private initiatives in terms of partnerships, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or tax relief.

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Therefore, Freshwater conservation should be an all-inclusive initiative, particularly community based conservation, where locals can protect freshwater resources vital to their livelihoods.

Prioritizing investment in water infrastructure and management can help address systemic failures and improve access to clean water. Strengthening institutional capacity and promoting transparency can enhance water resource management. Engaging local communities in water management and conservation efforts can foster ownership and sustainability.

Effective management is crucial in reversing the decline in freshwater ecosystems. Research can help identify the causes of biodiversity loss and develop solutions. Periodic control, management, and maintenance of our basin development authorities and dams as critical infrastructure will also contribute significantly to freshwater conservation, especially when done to mitigate disasters like flooding, erosion, and total collapse.
Overall, addressing systemic failure and weak infrastructure requires a multi-faceted approach that involves government commitment, international support, and community engagement to ensure sustainable freshwater provisions and conservation in Nigeria.

Tunde Akingbulugbe is a Sociologist, Media Consultant, Public Analyst, Environmentalist, and formerly, Registrar/ Chief Executive
Institute for Promotion of Maintenance Culture.
tundeakingbulugbe@gmail.com