Motorized Rural Water Supply Points in Some Northern Nigeria States and the Way Forward towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Ndububa Olufunmilayo I

doi:10.13189/eee.2017.050301

Abstract

Nigeria made efforts towards achieving the Goal Number 7, target 7c of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and now currently working on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In order to support Nigeria's effort in improving access to safe rural water sources, a field work was carried out in the rural areas of Northern Nigeria (Sub- Saharan Africa) on documentation of Motorized Rural Water Supply Schemes, functionality status and challenges in operation and maintenance. The methodology engaged in achieving the project was based on use of instrument for collection of data, physical examination of water sources in the research area and interaction with members of the selected communities. Results showed that out of the 440 motorized schemes surveyed in the four selected States, the use of petrol/ diesel generators to power the schemes are predominant, these schemes accounted for 63.64% of the Motorized schemes. The use of electricity to power water supply schemes was found to be only 2.95% of all motorized schemes in the communities, about one third of motorized schemes found in communities were solar powered. From this research, it was concluded that Nigeria should re-strategize on the operations and maintenance of the rural water sources installed in communities if reasonable progress is to be made in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Highlights

In 2015, it was estimated that 663 million people worldwide still use unimproved drinking water sources, nearly half of all people using unimproved drinking water sources live in sub-Saharan Africa and the vast majority of those who do not have access to improved drinking water sources live in rural areas, [1] this population must gain access to improved water sources
Results obtained from the inventory of motorized water sources are presented in Tables 1 to 5 and figure 2: Table 1 presents the names of States and Local Government Areas selected for the research
The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey reported from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) [13] reported that in 2011, the percentage distribution of population using improved water from boreholes in Benue is 6.3%, explaining low figures of motorized water supply schemes in Benue State

Summary

Introduction

In 2015, it was estimated that 663 million people worldwide still use unimproved drinking water sources, nearly half of all people using unimproved drinking water sources live in sub-Saharan Africa and the vast majority of those who do not have access to improved drinking water sources live in rural areas, [1] this population must gain access to improved water sources. The situation prompted a field work in the rural areas of Northern Nigeria (Sub-Saharan Africa) on documentation of Motorized Water Supply Schemes. A Country in West Africa is found in the Tropics characterized by different types of climate; the Tropical Monsoon, Tropical Savannah and Sahel Climate. The Tropical Monsoon Climate is found in the Southern part of the Country, the Tropical Savannah Climate extends from the Western part of the Country to the North Central part, while the Sahel Climate is predominant in the North Eastern and North Western parts of the Country. The Sahel or Tropical dry Climate has much lower annual rainfall compared to the Southern parts of the Country but is has good groundwater potential [2]. The North Eastern part of the Country has geological formation favourable for groundwater storage; from which groundwater can be tapped through boreholes and hand dug wells for domestic water supply, studies on the groundwater sources in this region shows the positive potential in harnessing safe domestic water from the sources. [4]

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Discussion

Conclusion