In a statement signed by UNICEF communications specialist, Ms Eva Hinds, Jurji said improving water and sanitation services as well as basic hygiene practices in Nigeria, calls for a strong commitment from all partners-the government, the civil society, the private sector and communities.
?He says: “For Nigeria to achieve the global goal of providing access to safe water for every citizen by 2030, it needs to make water, together with sanitation and hygiene, a national priority. This goal is closely linked with three key results for the country-good health, environmental sustainability and economic prosperity.
?”Access to safe drinking water remains a challenge to the majority of Nigerians, especially those living in the rural areas. The recent Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the government of Nigeria in 2016/17, indicated that about 40% of households and about 69 million people do not have access to clean water sources.
“In the rural areas, 19 million people walk long distances to collect unsafe water from lakes, streams and rivers.
“Children without access to safe water are more likely to die in infancy and throughout childhood from water-borne diseases. Diarrhoea remains the leading cause of death among children under ?ve years of age in Nigeria.
