Assessment of Government Efforts in Provision of Potable Water in Ogun and Neighbouring States: A Review

Adewoye Alade Olanipekun; Quadri Opeyemi Saka; Daniel Uwumarogie Idusuyi; Oluwatobi Oluwaseun Aiyelokun; Femi Alao; Opeyemi Bayode; Adewale Samson Adeyi

Adewoye Alade Olanipekun Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
Quadri Opeyemi Saka Department of Building Technology, College of Environmental Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Daniel Uwumarogie Idusuyi Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
Oluwatobi Oluwaseun Aiyelokun Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Femi Alao Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
Opeyemi Bayode Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria
Adewale Samson Adeyi Department of Building Technology, College of Environmental Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Keywords: Water-borne diseases, Supply infrastructure, Quality assurance, Government policies, Sustainable development goals, Potable water

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water is a basic human right, yet substantial challenges persist in the provision of extensive, sustainable and potable water supply across Nigerian communities. If these challenges remain unresolved, residents are at risk of contracting preventable and deadly water-borne diseases. This is particularly important in light of the recent cholera outbreak experienced in some parts of Ogun and Lagos States, Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated the effectiveness of government's policies, programmes, budget commitments and institutional frameworks regarding the provision of potable water to the public. A systematic review of recent literatures published between 2015 and 2023, which contained empirical studies about Ogun and neighbouring Southwestern States was conducted to determine potable water access rates, supply infrastructure, quality assurance and government policies. Results of analysis of potable water access revealed that less than 50% of households currently have public pipe-borne water connections, while access in rural centres is less than 19%. Results of analysis of supply infrastructure revealed that State water agencies face severe underfunding preventing capital investments into distribution networks and treatment plants. Results of analysis of quality assurance revealed that over 50% of residents consume untreated surface and groundwater sources which could cause communicable and fatal water-borne diseases. Results of analysis of government policies revealed that corruption, inadequate technical know-how, monitoring gaps, insufficient data collection and sustainability challenges inhibit thorough policy formulation and implementation. This study therefore concludes that increased long-term investments, infrastructural upgrades, standard treatment plants, operational decentralization and robust data collection will improve potable water provision so as to meet the sixth recommendation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This work is applicable in potable water provision for improvement of public living standards, thereby preventing the outbreak of waterborne disease.

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