Revitalization of Regional Water Schemes in Nigeria: Current Issues and Policy Recommendations

Year : 2024 | Volume : 11 | Issue : 03 | Page : 8-19
    By

    Oluwadare Joshua Oyebode,

Abstract

It is a fundamental human right to have access to clean, reliable water, but in Nigeria, inadequate regional water schemes and their decline have created a serious water crisis. This paper highlights the critical issues facing regional water schemes in Nigeria and proposes a path forward for revitalization. The issues are multifaceted, encompassing aging infrastructure, insufficient maintenance, mismanagement, population growth, and environmental challenges. These issues have contributed to a decline in water quality, insufficient coverage, and a lack of trust in the existing systems, leaving millions of Nigerians without adequate access to safe drinking water. To address these challenges, the way forward includes a combination of short-term and long-term strategies. Immediate actions should focus on infrastructure rehabilitation, efficient management, and increasing public awareness about water conservation and quality. Long-term solutions necessitate improved governance, investment in sustainable technologies, and collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and international organizations. Revitalizing regional water schemes in Nigeria is an imperative task that requires a concerted effort. By recognizing the pressing issues and committing to a comprehensive way forward, Nigeria can take significant strides toward ensuring equitable access to clean and safe water for its citizens. Through targeted technical support, capacity building, and sustainable budgeting, the government must increase the operational and financial effectiveness of service delivery. To enhance data management practices, it is necessary to internalize all of the tools created with the help of different interventions. Improving water quality and sanitation in Nigeria is a crucial challenge due to the country’s large population and diverse geographic regions.

Keywords: Revitalization, development, environmental challenges, regional water schemes, governance

[This article belongs to Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management ]

How to cite this article:
Oluwadare Joshua Oyebode. Revitalization of Regional Water Schemes in Nigeria: Current Issues and Policy Recommendations. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2024; 11(03):8-19.
How to cite this URL:
Oluwadare Joshua Oyebode. Revitalization of Regional Water Schemes in Nigeria: Current Issues and Policy Recommendations. Journal of Water Resource Engineering and Management. 2024; 11(03):8-19. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jowrem/article=2024/view=186621



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Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 11
Issue 03
Received 22/08/2024
Accepted 21/09/2024
Published 23/09/2024


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