The Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF) has berated the Federal and State Governments for the recurrent cholera outbreaks in the country, insisting that the current incident has exposed the lip service that all levels of government pay to water and sanitation issues.
CFSF position is coming on the heels of the flooding incidents predicted by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) which it said could worsen and prolong the current cholera outbreak which has killed about 65 people across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the CFSF said that the deaths recorded thus far due to the current outbreak are disturbing and unfortunate even as it warned that more outbreaks would occur unless the government took the issue of sustainable investment in the water sector and sanitation seriously.
CFSF Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba, said: “Even with the humongous sums that the federal and state governments budget for provision of water every year it has become embarrassing that Nigeria is still listed among countries with cholera outbreaks and deaths.”
Comrade Baba said that the floods predicted by NiMet may further breach and contaminate water sources and expose citizens to cholera and other vectors that would undermine their health.
“The situation looks gloomy. The timing of the floods which coincides with the cholera outbreak is a recipe for more infections and deaths except government at all levels take urgent and proactive steps beyond ongoing sensitization efforts.”
“The provision of water must also go beyond the urban areas to remote localities where locals depend on unwholesome sources for their domestic and other uses.”
He said that Nigerians must intensify efforts at x-raying and scrutinising budgetary allocations to the water sector to be able to hold public officials to account and ensure sustainable funding within the public sector.
“CFSF will continue working with other civil society and labour groups to expose and challenge impediments to access and affordability, both of which have forced Nigerians to patronise unwholesome water,” he maintained.
