As important as water, sanitation and hygiene are to livelihood, a report by the United Nations and another from WaterAid Nigeria recently revealed that over 60 million Nigerians lack access to potable water, 120 million do not have decent toilets facilities and 47 million engage in open defecation. In the Northeast alone, 3.6 million people are part of the over 180 million people across crisis zones, who UN said are living without access to basic drinking water. Boko Haram insurgency has reportedly damaged about 75 per cent of water and sanitation infrastructure. To underscore the situation, UN reports indicated that over $8 billion would be required yearly till 2030 otherwise; Nigeria would not address the challenge of water. By implication, Nigeria may not overcome the challenge of malnutrition and cholera among children and other diseases unless challenges associated with water, sanitation and hygiene are holistically tackled.

Source: The Guardian May 14, 2018 03:00 UTC