Jacqueline Meju
On Monday, March 22, in commemoration of World Water Day, with a focus on glacier preservation, OLEGH Centre for Community Development, a non-governmental organization, held a press conference which highlighted the dangers of poor water sanitation in Rivers State with a call for urgent government action.
The event took place at the OLEGH office, No. 41 Railway Close, D/Line, Port Harcourt.
The world advocates for glacier preservation, which plays an important role in supporting Agricultural activities and providing drinking water supplies, which is essential for millions of people around the world.
OLEGH Centre beamed attention on the continuous abuse of freshwater in Nigeria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), water-related diseases kill a child every eight seconds. OLEGH Centre emphasizes that microbiologically contaminated water can transmit diseases like diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and polio.
The press conference aimed to address the issue of safe drinking water, particularly in the context of sachet water sales in Rivers State.
To achieve this, the OLEGH Centre commissioned a research study on the portability and quality of sachet water in Port Harcourt and the Obio/Akpo Local Government Area, with support from BOTHENDS.
The study analyzed 13 sachet water brands from Rumuola, Choba, Rukpokwu, Rumuokoro, D/Line, and Port Harcourt Township. Alarmingly, the results revealed the Presence of heavy metals, including manganese, lead, nickel, and chromium, in many sampled brands. Contaminants pose significant health risks, with carcinogenic properties that can cause cancer.
To address the issue of unsafe drinking water, OLEGH proposed the following recommendations: NAFDAC needs Strengthening and should intensify investigations and monitoring of sachet water companies to ensure compliance with safety standards; there is a Need for Government Involvement to enforce strict quality control measures, regulate the sachet water industry, and support safe water initiatives.
The need for public awareness campaigns, public education on risks associated with contaminated water, as the promotion of safe drinking water practices, and awareness campaigns for Sachet Water producers on good water quality standards, including the protection of products from sunlight to prevent bacterial growth.
The conference hammered on the urgent need to address safe drinking water issues in Rivers State, particularly in the context of sachet water sales.
Executive director of OLEGH, Mr. Henry Eferegbo, said, “By implementing stricter regulations, increasing public awareness, and supporting safe water initiatives, we can ensure access to clean, safe, and healthy drinking water for all.”
A participant said, “OLEGH Centre’s efforts in organizing this conference are commendable, and their dedication to promoting safe drinking water practices is appreciated.”
