Safe Water Global Initiative warns on health risks of flooding

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

Safe Water Global Initiative has raised concerns over the public health implications of flooding in parts of the country, stressing the urgent need for access to safe water in affected communities.

The President and Founder of the organisation, Mr Francis Uzoma, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday that the floods had contaminated water sources, leaving many citizens, particularly in rural areas, without potable water for consumption and domestic use.

Uzoma said: “The implication of the flooding is that some Nigerians will have access only to unsafe water. This has consequences for their health, because it can result in outbreaks of cholera and other water-related diseases. That is the danger we are pointing out.”

He explained that preventive measures were necessary, adding: “There are things that can be done to mitigate the risks. One is by moving people away from flood-prone areas to safer places. Another is by providing them with safe water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. If this is done, we can reduce the dangers significantly.”

He noted that government had in the past issued scientific warnings about flooding but lamented that such alerts were often ignored at the community level.

“Warnings have been given by the Federal Government,” he said. “Unfortunately, some communities do not take them seriously, maybe thinking the flooding will not happen. But these are scientific warnings, and we are urging local governments and communities to heed them so that we do not lose precious lives.”

On seasonal flooding patterns, Uzoma stressed: “We know the heavy rains usually come between July and September. We should therefore do the right thing, by evacuating people from unsafe areas before the water rises. When the floods recede, people can return to their homes. At the same time, we must treat their water sources with the right materials and ensure water quality is monitored.”

The Safe Water Global Initiative founder said the persistent lack of potable water in rural areas made the health risks even more severe.

“The issue of water supply for domestic use has been a challenge for decades,” he said. “The essence of government is to provide for the welfare of the people, and water is one of the most important welfare needs. Nigerians have a right to safe water, it is a human right. So, government must see it from that perspective and prioritise it.”

On the role of other stakeholders, Uzoma said private companies and development partners had a duty to complement government’s efforts.

He explained: “We have written to organisations appealing to them to focus their corporate social responsibility on water, sanitation and hygiene. Many of them already have strong policies, but their interventions can be scaled up to meet the needs of communities that lack access. These efforts will go a long way in reducing water stress.”

He also called on local governments to take stronger responsibility, pointing out that they now receive direct funding from the federal government.

“Local government chairmen should prioritise water,” he said. “With the direct allocation system in place, they now have the funds to make interventions in water supply, which is vital for their people.”

On partnerships, Uzoma commended ongoing efforts but urged greater commitment.

“The Ministry of Water Resources, the states and even the media have been playing their part,” he said. “But more needs to be done, especially in rural areas where many Nigerians live. In some places, people spend several hours searching for safe water. This should not be the case in 2025.”

He also linked the issue to Nigeria’s international commitments.

“We are supposed to be making progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6.1 and 6.2, which deal with water and sanitation. We are supposed to be exiting open defecation by now. But that cannot happen if water infrastructure is not provided. Water is life, and it must be prioritised above other projects,” he said.

Uzoma urged religious institutions, multinational companies, financial institutions and civil society groups to support safe water access.

“If all stakeholders do a little within their own areas, the cumulative effect will be significant. We can drastically increase the percentage of Nigerians who have access to safe water. This is why we keep calling on partners to come together, because collaboration is the only way forward,” he said.