The Federal Ministry of Water Resources has advised State Governments to prioritise water safety plans, so as to reduce contamination from point of production to consumption.
Mrs Abosede Orimoloye, Assistant Director, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Collaborations, made the call at a workshop in Asaba, Delta.
The workshop is for the Development of Cholera Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) plan.
Orimoloye said people, who use alternative water sources should treat their water four times in a year.
She added that the ministry had recorded new innovations in treating water in the country.
The assistant director said the water safety plan would minimise contamination of drinking water sources and prevent contamination during storage, distribution and handling.
She said Nigerians should be aware of the risks posed along the water chain and how to manage those risks.
“This will reduce the prevalence of water-borne diseases.
“We must prevent contamination.
“Don’t wait for it to happen, multiple barriers can be used so that if one barrier fails, the water stays safe.
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“We must use improved management systems, which helps to improve public health, especially in reducing waterborne diseases,” she said.
The assistant director stressed the need for more research on water treatments.
She added that this would modify systems that would suit different settings.
Orimoloye said a safe water chain could be achieved from the water source, transport and consumption.
“Communities will benefit from water safety plans, which must be free from open defecation, and safe from insurgence and communal conflicts.
A staff of the ministry, Mr Charles Ebofin, said states must develop cholera EPR plan, so as to forestall possible illnesses and deaths.
He said the plan would help in cholera forecasting and preparedness so as to know areas of interventions.
“The 2022 floods came with many problems.
“Many states delayed in giving accurate information that would help us in managing emergency interventions.
“So we want a change.”
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