Group wants renewed efforts in safe water production
NAN-AE-5
Water
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Dec. 9, 2016 (NAN) Mr Daniel Falonipe, Founder, Nigeria Youth Action for Water (NYAW), has called for renewed efforts from all stakeholders towards providing safe water for Nigerians.
Falonipe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday that water still remained a top most essential requirement of human life.
He said it was no longer news how bad the current water situation was globally, saying that one in every 10 persons lacked access to clean water.
This, he said, had affected mostly young persons and women.
“ For every 90 seconds a child dies from a water-related disease, according to recent report. How worse can this get.
“In Nigeria, a number of young people are taking action towards providing lasting solutions to the water crisis.
“These steps are not enough, we need to do more, it is a collective effort, we can’t wait for government alone to do it, all hands must be on deck,’’ he said.
Falonipe, a delegate to the World Youth Parliament for Water, said 50 per cent of Nigerians, a vast majority in the rural areas, lacked access to portable water.
He said with financial support from Young Water Solutions, an international NGO, the group had been able to improve access to safe drinking water for 900 persons in rural communities in South Western Nigeria.
NYAW is a youth network with a mission to harness the enthusiasm and power of the youth in creating sustainable solutions to tackle Nigeria’s water and sanitation challenges.
The group focuses on local actions, behavioural change programmes and advocacy campaigns. (NAN)
(Edited by Nyisom Dore/ Julius Enehikhuere)