Forewords
Water sustainability is a crucial issue in Nigeria as well as in other developing countries. The significant issues of water sustainability in Nigeria include many factors as desertification; the depletion of critical wetlands, forests and vegetation covers at a fast rate. In addition, it includes the pollution of water sources from point sources such as industrial effluent and urban domestic wastes; unregulated utilization of groundwater for domestic purposes. There is also an issue of unavailability of portable water for citizens in most parts of the country particularly those in the rural areas and so forth (Ajai). These water sustainability issues are major challenges that result to water scarcity. Water scarcity in this context translates to issues like outbreak of diseases as well as other health related issues, inefficiency in agricultural practices, and reduction in productivity and many others. (“Water Scarcity in Africa”). Water scarcity in Nigeria as well as in other developing countries can be addressed if all stakeholders involved here will understand the seriousness of the condition and do something about it.
Stakeholders Involved and Their Responsibility
As pointed out earlier, water sustainability issues in developing countries such as Nigeria cannot be addressed without the participation of the stakeholders. By stakeholders, we refer to individuals and bodies that have a direct interest or have something to do with the water issue in Nigeria. This has to do with customers, employees, stockholders, the government, companies and so forth with interest, involvement, and investment in the issue under discussion.
As a matter of fact, Ajai stated that the management of shared natural resources, of which water is a good example, requires keen participation of multi-stakeholders and also adequate self-regulation. In other words, the stakeholders must evaluate a reason to self-govern themselves, and this should be not be driven by the fear of punishment but desire for cooperation and compliance.
Ademiluyi and Odugbesan mentioned that the sustainability in resource management and utilization such as water sustainability would require such pragmatic strategies that would involve all the stakeholders. Involvement of the stakeholders would raise the sustainability level of community water and also sanitation programs by ensuring effective partnership. This is imperative to consider that effective partnership with the stakeholders is an important keyword to note if ensuring sustainability in water resource is a central goal. They also asserted that all the stakeholders that have anything to do with the consumption and use, maintenance, cost recovery and continuing support must be involved. They must see it as their responsibility and to their best interest to achieve the required sustainability. In other words, everyone must be poised at ensuring that they deliver the best quality goods and services to the best interest of all (Ademiluyi and Odugbesan 811-817).
Building effective mechanism for water provision and flow is essential but left on its own, it cannot achieve sustainability of the natural resource. Firstly, we require adaptive and evolving delivery mechanisms in order to ensure that water flows continuously. Contrary to what most people think, this could be a very complicated process. Community participation on its own can only go thus far but will not achieve sustainability in toto. Ademiluyi and Odugbesan argued that the sustainability can be accomplished if we can make all stakeholders. They need to participate in pursuing water sustainability and also to make it apparent that participation in this context pays more than non-participation.
However, there are challenges and impediments to the participations of stakeholders in water sustainability in Nigeria. Ajai pointed out that while the planning, development and management of water resources in Nigeria, usually the stakeholders are not consulted. Perhaps they are involved in the processes that result in unreliable projects that do not meet the demands and needs of the inhabitants and for such projects the consumers are usually not willing to pay. The worst aspect is that the assets and facilities built usually not maintained or in a few cases, insufficiently maintained and hence they go bad as the day goes by. In addition, as George et al. pointed out that there is usually an issue of conflicting and different interests and views by multiple stakeholders. This goes a long way to influencing the local management of land and water resources. As a result of this, sustainability practice can only be ensured in the context of the requisite policies. Institutions are developed, and such institution or policies will help in ensuring that the stakeholders come to a level ground in negotiation, views, and interests.
System Diagram
The three pillars of sustainability, namely environment, social and economy, must be in place for sustainability to achievable. The study on water sustainability issue in Nigeria can be ramped up by taking a look at the sustainability system diagram presented in figure 1. This is a relationship between the three pillars. At the center of its all, that is to say, when every feature is maintained in the appropriate order, sustainability can be achieved. In mathematical term, sustainability is a set obtained on intersection of the three sets namely, Environment, Social and Economy. It is imperative to consider that if any of these pillars is weak in any way, then sustainability cannot be achieved (“The Three Pillars of Sustainability”). In other words, sustainability depends on all three pillars. Thus, the issue in Nigeria can be well explained here because there is an imbalance mostly in the social and economy aspect, making sustainability difficult to be achieved.
Figure 1: System Diagram for sustainability
Meetings and Other Interactive Events
Water sustainability is a crucial issue in Nigeria as well as other developing countries. It is important that regulators and decision makers in these countries attend meetings and other interactive events to learn approaches and measures to deal with water sustainability issues in their countries. One of the most popular meetings of this kind is the 2015 UN-Water Annual International Zaragoza Conference, which is strategically designed to prepare for the World Water Day, 2015. The prime focus of the conference is on sustainability development of the natural resource, and the goal of the meeting help the participants to understand how to bring the agenda into action. It will also be expository on the practical tools required for the implementations in effect such as the required technology, financing, capacity development and so forth.
Essentially, water sustainability requires effective governance. The governance framework is essential in order to ensure optimal use of water between different sectors and ecosystem and satisfy the current water needs without putting the future into jeopardy. The immense need for freshwater sustainability is not exclusively reserved to developing countries, but also developed countries must keep on maintaining their sustainability approaches emphasizing their present needs, but also for the future needs. This is why that important conference to be held in Zaragoza; Span between 15 and 17 January 2015 is designed to tackle the major issues and challenges facing freshwater. It will encompass issues relating to urbanization, overconsumption, and lack of capacity, underinvestment, poor management, and waste as well as the demands for agriculture, food, and energy (UNDESA).
Costs and Benefits (Journal Post-3)
There are two important aspects regarding water sustainability, and these include the costs and the benefits. In other words, one need to be aware that there are costs associated with water sustainability without forgetting the benefits involved. Water sustainability is targeted at addressing every issue in water scarcity and misuse of the resource. EPA, (2009) used a case study of the water issue in the village of Adu Achi, Oji River Local Government Areas of Enugu state. This explains the costs as well as the benefits of water sustainability. In this particular part of Nigeria, there is an ongoing project in order to develop a gravity-fed distribution system which employs groundwater from the Ajali sandstone aquifer. The project is critical in this local community because the village and surrounding community, which comprises about 10,000 people rely on contaminated water source for their survival. The people in Africa are forced to turning over to contaminated water sources as their alternatives when clean water is unavailable because human beings can only survive 3-5 days without water. As a result of using contaminated water for consumption purposes, a lot of water-borne diseases and related diseases are common in these parts of the world (“Water Scarcity in Africa”). In the Adu Achi village, water scarcity is exacerbated by the protruded dry season between November and March, the poor quality of neighboring surface water and the traditional worship with respect to the neighboring water bodies. However, the major impediment to water sustainability in this part of sub-Saharan Africa is a lack of electricity. It is imperative to consider here that lack of electricity is a pitiable condition that has plagued most sub-Saharan countries especially Nigeria. In addition, it is exacerbated by the immense corruption in the political system prevailing in the country.
Adenuga, Ogujiuba, and Ohuche clearly stated that the negative impacts of water scarcity and lack of sustainability is far reaching and includes loss of revenue, declining health-care and economic problems. In addition, they pointed out that water pollution in Nigeria causes environmental degradation, and it further posited that this problem can be effectively tackled via coordinated policy as well as institutional and legal framework. They further added that the major factors responsible for water pollution in Nigeria is release of pollutants and effluents from industries. Moreover, it includes the sewers, contamination of groundwater by hydrocarbon, non-protection of watersheds, poor mining activities and saline intrusion of groundwater. Consequently, this spread a lot of infectious diseases that result to the death of millions of children each year. Another major cause of water pollution in Nigeria is oil spillage and gas flaring. These are serious concerns to the environment. The gas flaring is the major cause of acid rains and pollution in rivers and streams. This causes a lot of environmental problems and devastates the environment.
It is also imperative that water sustainability is for the excellent of all and not for a small minority. This is why everyone in developing countries such as Nigeria must see it as a responsibility to deal with the problem. The benefits of water sustainability as pointed out by George et al. include an increase in the economic viability of irrigated agriculture, reduction in environmental degradation caused by salinization and waterlogging. Furthermore, Nigeria as a nation would save a lot of costs on implementing water sustainability approaches. This is because the resources channeled to tackle the problems and menaces caused by water pollution and scarcity will be saved. Adenuga, Ogujiuba, and Ohuche noted that the demand created by speedy urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural development immensely require water management and sustainability. With the increasing population and urbanization, water scarcity and lack of sustainability will only worsen the problems in this sub-Saharan country. Ademiluyi and Odugbesan pointed out that in the next 30 years, virtually all the world population is expected to be focused in the urban areas, and Nigeria is not left out in this. It is imperative to consider that water scarcity issue in Nigeria is worse in the rural areas than it is in the urban area. Thus, growth and development in Nigeria would not be grounded if water scarcity issue is not tackled (Ademiluyi and Odugbesan 811-817).
Decision Makers and Decision Making Structure
Of course, participation by stakeholders is important in ensuring water sustainability. However, without full participation and keen interests by decision makers and the requisite decision-making structure being put in place, water sustainability in this sub-Saharan country can never be achieved.
Adenuga, Ogujiuba, and Ohuche pointed out that before 1969, there was no statutory regulation in place in Nigeria to protect the environment against industrial pollution. But in 1968, the first law decree as Oil in Navigable Water Decree was promulgated. This is followed by the 1969 Petroleum Decree No 51. The main body responsible for monitoring the environment to protect it against environmental pollution in Nigeria is the Federal Environmental Pollution Agency (FEPA). This was forced to comply the December 30, 1988 decree No. 58 which also states the functions of the FEPA. The FEPA is responsible for protecting the environment and can initiate policies with respect to environmental research and technology. Its task also covers issuing advice to the Federal government with respect to environmental policies affecting the environment. It also involves in preparation of master plans on a periodic basis regarding improvement of environmental science and technology and carry out other activities to fully discharge its function. Adenuga, Ogujiuba, and Ohuche defined the environment according to the section 38 of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act 5 as including water, air, land and all plants beings and animals. Since the water is a part and parcel of the environment, water sustainability is a key responsibility of the FEPA.
Possible Solutions
As pointed out earlier, water sustainability cannot be achieved with stakeholders’ participation. However, the roles of decision makers here can never be overemphasized. Adenuga Ogujiuba and Ohuche posted some policy options that could play a lot of roles in reducing water pollution issues in sub-Saharan country like Nigeria. These policies include the provision of efficient and requisite legal, institutional framework as well as stable macroeconomic policies. In addition, effective reformation and aiming towards adequate resource pricing policy in order to ensure efficiency. It needs encouraging the purchase of pollution control equipment by issuing out incentives via reduction in excise taxes, speedy depreciation allowance, reduction in customs duties and so forth. This will give the room for adequate financing of pollution control activities; achieving high degree of standardization through efficient data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This will further give room to the effective and smooth functioning of the different parts of the government and hence achieving effective water pollution control and water sustainability. Market-based or economic instruments could play vital roles in regulating water pollution and its environmental impacts. Such techniques should be encouraged and given a rightful way. However, in order to ensure effectiveness here, it is also important to monitor adequately and assess the performance on a regular basis. Water sustainability and environmental degradation in general can be addressed if the federal government can exert its political will in order to solve the problems caused by water pollution, as well as other environmental problems. Above all, the responsibility or role of stakeholders should not be overlooked. Stakeholders should not be left behind and should be carried along right from the decision-making process and also stakeholders participation in water sustainability will go a long way to ensuring excellent results.
Conclusion
Billions of people in the world face water scarcity, pollution and sanitation problems irrespective of the fact that water is a gift of nature to mankind. Pollution is the major cause of water scarcity and also many people living in rural areas of Nigeria do not have access to drinking water. A good example of this is Ugwueke, a village in Bende Local Government Area, Abia State in South-Eastern Nigeria. As Hardin pointed out; water pollution is a tragedy of the commons, and this is a consequence of the population increase. This menace can be addressed with appropriate regulation.
Work Cited
Ademiluyi, I.A.I, and J.A. Odugbesan. “Sustainability and Impact of Community Water Supply and Sanitation Programmes in Nigeria: An Overview”. African Journal of Agricultural Research 3.12 (2014): 811-817. Print.
Adenuga, AO, K Ogujiuba, and FK Ohuche. “Sustainability of the Environment and Water Pollution in Nigeria: Problems, Management and Policy Options”. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences 5.1 (2006): n. pag. Web. 20 Dec.2014 http://econopapers.repec.org/paper/wpawuwpot/0508009.htm
Ajai, Olawale. “Law, Water and Sustainable Development: Framework of Nigerian Law”. Law, Environment and Development Journal 8.1 (2012): n. pag. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. www.lead-journal.org/content/12089.pdf
George, H., and et al. “Sustainable Options for Addressing Land and Water Problems - A Problem Tree and Case Studies”. FAO, 2011. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/solaw/files/thematic_reports?TR_15_web.pdf
Hardin, G. “The tragedy of the commons”. Science, 162.3859, (1968):1243–1248. Web. 12 Dec, 2014 from http://www.sciencemag.org/content/162/3859/1243.full
“The Three Pillars of Sustainability”. Thwink.org, N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/ThreePillarsOfSustainability.htm
UNDESA, “International Decade for Action 'Water For Life' 2005-2015”. Un.org. N.p., 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. www.un.org.waterforlifedecade/waterandsustainabledevelopment2015/index.shtml
“Water Scarcity in Africa”. Wikipedia N.p., 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_scarcity_in_Africa
Water Sustainability Issue in Nigeria
Water sustainability issue in Nigeria is selected because of emerging concerns regarding water in the sub-Saharan countries. The study identified the various factors that affect sustainability in the region and how they can be tackled effectively. It was observed that the role of stakeholders cannot be overstated in maintaining sustainability. The menace of water pollution and environmental pollution in Nigeria is overbearing, and this is worsened by the lag in the policies and regulation. The population of the developing country is growing beyond bounds without the corresponding increase in sustainability (Adenuga Ogujiuba and Ohuche; George and et al.). The UN has declared the decade 2005 – 2015 a decade of water sustainability because of the critical nature of this emerging issue and the immense relevance it bears (UNDESA). It should be noted that water borne diseases are critical and prime causes of deaths in the world today. This clearly shows how immensely important water sustainability is in the world today, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
Work Cited
Adenuga, AO, K Ogujiuba, and FK Ohuche. “Sustainability of the Environment and Water Pollution in Nigeria: Problems, Management and Policy Options”. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences 5.1 (2006): n. pag. Web. 20 Dec.2014 http://econopapers.repec.org/paper/wpawuwpot/0508009.htm
George, H., and et al. “Sustainable Options for Addressing Land and Water Problems - A Problem Tree and Case Studies”. FAO, 2011. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/solaw/files/thematic_reports?TR_15_web.pdf
UNDESA, “International Decade for Action 'Water For Life' 2005-2015”. Un.org. N.p., 2014. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. www.un.org.waterforlifedecade/waterandsustainabledevelopment2015/index.shtml
Costs and benefits of water sustainability in Nigeria
Water sustainability cannot be achieved if we do not take into account the costs as well as benefits involved in it. On taking a look at the immense dangers and threats that water pollution poses on human life, one will escalate the importance of water sustainability. Water scarcity and lack of sustainability can cause a number of negative impacts as reported by Adenuga, Ogujiuba and Ohuche. These negative impacts include declining health care, economic problems, revenue loss, to mention a few. In addition to this, environmental degradation is at its high side in Nigeria due to water pollution. Many benefits can be obtained if water sustainability is ensured. These benefits include increased economic viability, reduction in environmental degradation, reduction in the outbreak of sicknesses, diseases and epidemics, increase and boost in industrialization, agricultural development, and urbanization.
Work Cited
Adenuga, AO, K Ogujiuba, and FK Ohuche. “Sustainability of the Environment and Water Pollution in Nigeria: Problems, Management and Policy Options”. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences 5.1 (2006): n. pag. Web. 20 Dec.2014 http://econopapers.repec.org/paper/wpawuwpot/0508009.htm
George, H., and et al. “Sustainable Options for Addressing Land and Water Problems - A Problem Tree and Case Studies”. FAO, 2011. Web. 20 Dec. 2014. http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/solaw/files/thematic_reports?TR_15_web.pdf
Summary: Water Sustainability Issue in Nigeria
Water pollution, scarcity and lack of sustainability is an issue that is worth giving much attention as they plague most of the developing countries. This contributes to the immense loss of lives, properties and decrease in productivity. However, to achieve water sustainability, the stakeholders must be actively involved and also the roles of decision makers in this issue cannot be overlooked. This is learnt from this paper that one of the major reasons why water sustainability is not achieved in Nigeria? The major issue is that decision makers do not carry stakeholders along in their decisions. Hence, leading to the execution of projects of which stakeholders are not willing to pay. To ensure water sustainability, some costs must be met. As a matter of fact, the three integral pillars of sustainability, namely environment, social and economy must be greatly upheld, and effective channels should be built to address them properly. Finally, much of the success and failure of water sustainability issue in Nigeria can be attributed to decision makers, although stakeholders cannot be completely exempted. Decision makers must make policies that would facilitate and strengthen water sustainability in the sub-Saharan country. Not only that but also the policies and obligations of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) must be implemented.
Work Cited
Adenuga, AO, K Ogujiuba, and FK Ohuche. “Sustainability of the Environment and Water Pollution in Nigeria: Problems, Management and Policy Options”. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences 5.1 (2006): n. pag. Web. 20 Dec.2014 http://econopapers.repec.org/paper/wpawuwpot/0508009.htm
Hardin, G. “The tragedy of the commons”. Science, 162.3859, (1968):1243–1248. Web. 12 Dec, 2014 from http://www.sciencemag.org/content/162/3859/1243.full
“The Three Pillars of Sustainability”. Thwink.org, N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. www.thwink.org/sustain/glossary/ThreePillarsOfSustainability.htm
