Stating this during a two day media dialogue on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Anambra State earlier in the week, a Research Specialist, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mainga Moono Banda said so far, about 130 million Nigerians use unimproved sanitation facilities, adding that more than half of that figure live in rural areas.
They said with the steady decline, Nigeria may not meet the 2030 target of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on water sanitation and hygiene, except something drastic is put in place.
“Of the 180 million Nigerians in the country, about 75.8 per cent of the citizens who live in rural areas practice open defecation, making the country the third highest nation with open defecation globally.
“Target six in the SDG is specific on WASH.
Also, by 2030, nations should achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene, and end open defecation,” Banda said, noting that special attention should be placed on women, girls, and those in vulnerable situations.
“Poor WASH can cause myriads of problems, including death.
A mother who just delivered can infect her baby by mere carrying the baby if her hands are not properly washed.
With proper hygiene, the woman can help prevent the baby from sepsis or deaths by about 15 per cent.
“Poor WASH can affect school attendance because a child who is infected with bouts of diarrhea can end up becoming undernourished, and on the long run may lead to stunting, poor attendance in school.
Meanwhile, the Programme Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources, Anambra State, Ezekwo Victor said the state government was committed to WASH, adding that Governor Willie Obiano has rehabilitated 116 non functional boreholes across the state.