NIGERIA ON THE SDG 6 MAP- THE JOURNEY THUS FAR

20 May NIGERIA ON THE SDG 6 MAP- THE JOURNEY THUS FAR

Voices around the world are demanding leadership on poverty, inequality and climate change. To turn these demands into actions, world leaders gathered on 25 September, 2015, at the United Nations in New York to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda comprises 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or Global Goals, which will guide policy and funding for the next 15 years, beginning with a historic pledge to end poverty everywhere permanently. The Global Goals effectively replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which in September 2000 rallied the world around a common 15-year agenda to tackle the indignity of poverty.

The Nigerian President, Muhammad Buhari was part of the team of leaders that endorsed the take off of the new plans; he affirmed support for SDG to succeed in Nigeria, which is in tandem with the positive change mantra of his administration. While in Nigeria, the prospect of achieving SDG is expected to be pursued in an inclusive and people centered manner, thereby focus on institutional and policy strengthening supportive of the programme and projects. For want of space and time, this article will endeavor to assess the success or otherwise of the SDG in Nigeria with particular interest in goal 6; Ensure Access to Water and Sanitation for All.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL 6

ENSURE ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION FOR ALL

The UN explains: “Clean water is a basic human need, and one that should be easily accessible to all. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. However, due to poor infrastructure, investment and planning, every year millions of people — most of them children — die from diseases associated with inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene.”

The UN has defined 8 Targets and 11 Indicators for SDG 6. Targets specify the goals and Indicators represent the metrics by which the world aims to track whether these Targets are achieved. Below we quote the original text of all Targets and show the data on the agreed Indicators.

TARGET 6.1: SAFE AND AFFORDABLE DRINKING WATER

UN definition: ‘’By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all’’.

SDG INDICATOR 6.1.1 SAFE DRINKING WATER

Definition: Indicator 6.1.1 is the Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

A safely managed drinking water service is defined as one located on premises, available when needed and free from contamination.

Goal: By 2030 achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

Assessment: As at 2017 20% of Nigeria’s population use a safely managed drinking water service.

To be continued ….