Dr Adebisi Osim, President of the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), says there is an urgent need for collaborative efforts to tackle Nigeria’s severe water and sanitation crisis.
Osim made this call in a statement on Thursday in Abuja ahead of the 2024 World Water Day slated for March 22, with the theme “Leveraging Water for Peace.’’
She underscored the critical role of water in fostering peace, promoting social cohesion and driving sustainable development within communities.
Osim stressed the importance of equitable access to water resources and sustainable water management practices to mitigate inequality, instability, and conflict exacerbated by the crisis.
She drew attention to the disproportionate burden faced by women due to water scarcity, advocating for their involvement in water management and decision-making processes.
Osim said that millions of Nigerians, both in urban and rural areas, were affected by issues such as flooding, poor water management, water scarcity, and a lack of access to sanitation facilities, which had significant public health and economic implications.
Quoting a World Bank report, Osim highlighted that approximately 70 million Nigerians lacked access to safe drinking water, while globally, 122 million people resorted to collecting water from unsafe sources.
She underscored the role of water in fostering peace and stability, as that access to clean water and effective water management could prevent tensions and conflicts arising from scarcity or unequal access.
Osim called upon all tiers of government to prioritise investment in water infrastructure, ensure regular monitoring and evaluation, and engage in multi-track water diplomacy to address transboundary water issues and promote regional stability.
According to her, there is need for partnerships involving government agencies, non-profit organisations, businesses and community members to implement sustainable solutions at scale.
Osim urged the private sector to invest in innovative water technologies and solutions, and called upon the media to raise awareness and hold stakeholders accountable for their commitments to water security and peace building efforts.
She reiterated APWEN’s commitment to leveraging water for peace and sustainable development and to envision a future where every individual had access to clean and safe water as well as catalysing peace, prosperity, and social cohesion. (NAN)
