By Engr. Michael Ale, has attributed Nigeria’s lack of clean and safe water access to poor maintenance culture and economic hardship, calling for urgent government intervention.
Ale, who is the Co-founder and President of the Safe Water for Africa Community Initiative (SWACI), emphasized that access to clean water remains a privilege for the wealthy while millions struggle daily. He urged government agencies and NGOs to provide funding and technical support to maintain water infrastructure.
“The cost of drilling a borehole ranges from ₦1.5 million to ₦2.6 million, making it inaccessible to poor Nigerians. Many community boreholes donated by the government or philanthropists break down quickly due to poor maintenance,” Ale explained.
He also pointed out that government-owned water treatment plants and pipelines are in disrepair, forcing people to rely on unsafe sources, which contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea.
Ale introduced the Borehole Management System Software (BAMS) as an innovative solution to improve water infrastructure efficiency. He called for government focus on maintaining existing boreholes instead of constantly building new, unsustainable ones.
He stressed that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and urged stakeholders, including private investors and NGOs, to collaborate in ensuring sustainable water management for all Nigerians.
