As the world observes World Water Day, millions of Nigerians continue to face the stark reality that clean and safe water remains a luxury reserved for the affluent, while those in poverty struggle with inadequate access to this fundamental human necessity.
Ale Michael, Co-founder and President of the Safe Water for Africa Community Initiative (SWACI), highlighted these challenges in a recent interview, emphasizing the dire situation faced by many Nigerians in accessing clean water.
According to him, the exorbitant cost of drilling boreholes—often the only reliable water source in many communities—is a significant barrier. “Drilling a borehole costs between ₦1.5 million and ₦26 million, a sum beyond the reach of many impoverished Nigerians,” he stated.
Michael also pointed out the frequent breakdown of borehole infrastructure, noting that community boreholes, often provided by the government, philanthropists, or politicians, quickly become non-functional due to poor maintenance. Additionally, many government-owned water treatment plants and pipelines are in disrepair, forcing millions to rely on costly or contaminated water sources. This has contributed to the widespread prevalence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, clear indicators of Nigeria’s developmental challenges in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
To address these issues, the SWACI President advocated for innovative and sustainable water management solutions. One such initiative is the Borehole Management System Software (BAMS), a digital platform aimed at helping borehole operators manage their water sources more effectively, reducing operational costs, and improving access to clean water.
“Rather than investing in new boreholes that might also become neglected, the government should prioritize the revival and maintenance of existing ones,” Michael suggested. He further disclosed that SWACI, in partnership with other organizations, has developed strategies to enhance water accessibility and infrastructure efficiency in Nigeria.
Michael emphasized the importance of robust support from private investors, government bodies, NGOs, volunteers, and water associations to implement innovative solutions like BAMS and the Project Outcome Validation Aggregator (POVA). These initiatives, he noted, require collaboration and commitment to ensure effective water management, particularly in underserved areas.
He also underscored the crucial role of government agencies and NGOs in resolving Nigeria’s water crisis. “Financial and technical support should be extended to communities and borehole operators to guarantee a sustainable supply of clean water,” he urged.
Commending collective efforts, Michael praised the Ibadan Descendant Union (IDU) in Texas, USA, for their WATER ROOT CONNECT program, which has constructed nearly 22 solar-powered boreholes in the Ibadan community. He described this as a commendable example of commitment to improving water access, stressing that the government alone cannot solve Nigeria’s water crisis. He called on well-meaning Nigerians and organizations to emulate the IDU’s efforts.
“As we mark World Water Day, it is crucial to recognize that water is primarily a social good before being an economic commodity. Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of economic status, enjoys this right is a collective responsibility,” Michael asserted.
He further urged private borehole owners and investors to support solutions like BAMS and POVA to enhance borehole and waterworks management.
“The government and NGOs must provide funding and technical assistance to sustain water infrastructure efficiently. Meanwhile, communities should advocate for accountability in water resource management to prevent further neglect of essential facilities and make clean water accessible to all,” he concluded.
