CHANGING TRENDS IN WATER POLICY FORMULATION IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER SUPPLY PROVISION AND MANAGEMENT

After almost sixty years of water resources development in Nigeria, it is regrettable that only 60% of the population has access to safe drinking water, and in rural areas less than 50% of the households have access to potable water. This has very serious implications for the economic development and social welfare of the people specifically and the country as a whole. First, there is the tremendous economic waste involved in people spending so much time and effort in search of water. Secondly, lack of water often means relatively low levels of personal hygiene and environmental sanitation. Thirdly, because water is needed for most productive activities, inadequate access to water limits the livelihood options of the people, particularly in rural areas. In recognition of the poor state of water management in the country and its implication for socio-economic development and environmental sustainability, the present democratically elected government has prepared a new national policy on water resources development. One cardinal objective of the policy is to provide potable water for the entire population at an affordable price. This study reviews the changing trend in the national policy framework for water resource management in relation to the motivation for policy design, knowledge capacity building, and the degree of compliance with the new principles and approach in Nigeria. The study also assesses the implication of the changing trends in policy implications to sustainable water provision and management in the country.