The Director, National Water Resources Capacity Building Network Centre, South-East, Region, Professor Emma Ezenwaji says that most ailments Nigerians suffer from on a daily basis are related to water.
Prof. Ezenwaji disclosed this during the commemoration of this year’s International Water Day, with the theme “Water For Peace”.
The event was held at Igwebudu Primary School Urum, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, where a water borehole is to be constructed in conjunction with the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter.
According to him, “when Nigeria gets the issue of public water supply right, most of the sicknesses will become history.
“This is because seventy percent of the sicknesses are caused by lack of potable water. What we’re doing is basic but very important because it is primarily targeted at the school children”.
Professor Ezenwaji while stressing the need for all tiers of government to marshal out sustainability plan for all their water projects, explained that the choice of Igwebudu Primary School, Urum for the borehole project was strategic having existed without water since inception.
“We will hand it over to a committee that will manage, operate and maintain the water. If this is not done, it will not be sustainable. I want the community to take ownership.
“At the Centre, we have discovered that lack of capacity is a gap which must be filled”.
“The theme of the day, ‘water for peace’ is very apt because when you fall sick as a result of no access to potable water, you will not be at peace even with yourself. You can’t go to work or do your business.
“In fact, you are incapacitated. That’s why we’re here to see that a borehole is sunk here and we provide an elevated tank for seamless hand washing,” he said.
Prof. Ezenwaji also lauded the state Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for the ongoing effort to revamp water schemes across the state.
In a remark, the President General of Urum, Mr. Aloysius Tabansi, represented by Chief Dr Damian Iliemenam appreciated the Centre for addressing the greatest challenge confronting the school.
The Head Mistress, Mrs Ogochukwu Oranu and the Manager, Revd Father Charles Ezeoke, were also full of gratitude for the gesture which was made possible through philanthropic individuals.
