Ebonyi State Government, Southeast Nigeria, has embarked on the campaign against usage of unsafe water.
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The Acting General Manager Ebonyi Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Dr Sunday Opoke made this Known while addressing Journalists on the Health importance of safe water in Abakaliki the State capital.
Dr Opoke, who is also State Coordinator, Clean Nigeria and use the Toilet Campaign, said with the help of Professional, bad water could be treated and used safely.
The Coordinator said water could be clean and portable, yet is not safe.
“In water treatment, there are chemicals such as water-guard that can make bad water to become safe. Water can be potable but not safe. Some boreholes have iron content and rusted material that can be dangerous to human health. we must always seek the advice of the experts in government or individuals”. Opoke explained.
The General Manager said water sector is experiencing serious challenge, not only in Ebonyi, but across states of the federation.
“Let me state it again, that the state government is ready with it professionals in the water sector to provide safe water. In as much as the public searches for self help, we urge them to always ask for experts’ advice to avoid diseases that are associated with water“. He added.
He called on the rural dwellers to meet them in groups and training could be offered on the possible measures to have safe water as water from pond, river can be treated to be safe.
He said most of the diseases such as cholera, Dysentery, guinea worm among others which people suffer today are as a result of bad water.
“going to hospital regularly is resultant effects from bad water and I must say that 80 per cent of our health problems comes from water that we take“. He said.
He urged individuals to ensure that their water is always safe.
A resident in the State, Mrs Chidinma Amadi urged the State Government to ensure regular supply of safe water to the general public to avoid bad water associated diseases.
