FG, Nestle tackle N455bn annual loss from unsafe water, others

The Federal Government, in partnership with Nestle Nigeria Plc, has launched an expansive nationwide campaign aimed at addressing the pressing issues of unsafe drinking water and inadequate sanitation facilities, which are estimated to cost the Nigerian economy approximately N455 billion annually.

During a recent event in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the quality of drinking water available to citizens across the country.

His statements were delivered by Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, the Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, who highlighted the alarming findings of the 2021 National Water Report.

Utsev expressed a crucial point: “Without access to safe water, our journey towards sustainable development remains hindered and incomplete.”

He further noted that the prevalence of contaminated water is a significant contributor to various preventable diseases, posing serious threats not only to public health but also to productivity and educational outcomes for individuals across the nation.

In light of these challenges, Utsev called for a united front, urging stakeholders to engage in stronger collective action through initiatives such as the advocacy campaign and the annual Water Policy Conference.

These platforms are essential for fostering consensus and generating effective solutions to the ongoing water and sanitation crisis in Nigeria.

According to him, “We must invest more in water quality monitoring, enforce standards, and empower communities to be custodians of the very water they drink.”

In her address, Victoria Uwadoka, the Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, said the figures from the 2024 research by Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) were of great concern.

“Poor sanitation costs the economy an estimated N455 billion every year, straining families and institutions alike.

“More than 113 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water. Even more alarming, an estimated 87,000 children under five die annually from diarrhoea linked directly to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Broader studies suggest that over 70,000 lives are lost each year to waterborne diseases,” Uwadoka said.