57 million Nigerians lack access to portable drinking water- USAID.
The Mission Director, United State Agency for International Development (USAID), Stephen M. Haykin has said that over 57 million Nigerians lack access to portable water in the country.
Speaking on Thursday during the official launch of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Kaduna, he also added that one million Nigerian children die yearly for lack of drinking water.
He said the USAID was supporting the programme with $2.5 million to enable Nigerians have access to portable drinking water.
In his speech on the occasion, Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai who was represented by his Chief of staff, Malam Bashir Saidu said when Zaria water work is completed, it will provide 150 million litres of water daily for the populace.
On his part, the governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar lamented that the influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the State had increased the demand for water supply at the expense of the original supply.
He therefore, pledged the commitment of his government to ensure the success of the project.