Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, continues to grapple with a critical challenge—access to clean drinking water. Despite its status as a metropolitan city, many communities still lack safe water sources, forcing residents to rely on untreated alternatives that pose serious health risks.
Daily, families in these communities struggle to find potable water, often turning to well water, boreholes, or even contaminated sources. The absence of adequate government intervention and the strain on infrastructure have made clean water a privilege rather than a basic necessity.
Environmentalists warn that the situation is not just a public health crisis but also an environmental and social justice issue. Sulaiman Arigbabu, an environmental expert, highlighted the severity of the problem, stating:
“I would say that Lagos and, by extension, Nigeria, we have one of the most drilled aquifers in the world, and this has serious environmental, geological, and social justice implications.”
With growing concerns over the sustainability of groundwater sources and the rising incidence of waterborne diseases, experts urge immediate government action to improve water accessibility and quality.
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