Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from chronically overburdened
water systems under increasing stress from fast-growing urban areas. Weak
governments, corruption, mismanagement of resources, poor long-term investment,
and a lack of environmental research and urban infrastructure only exacerbate
the problem. In some cases, the disruption or contamination of water supply in
urban infrastructures and rural area has incited domestic and cross-border
violence.
The water issue is a major problem for people in sub-Saharan
Africa. Indeed, the water situation in sub-Saharan Africa remains characterised
by the difficult access to this resource, the poor supply management of
watering places and the high costs of water network connections. For instance,
in Benin one household in three doesn’t have access to drinking water, and the
problem is much more acute in rural areas.
Various consultations led with the populations have indeed
confirmed that the water issue is a major problem for them. The concerns, as
raised by the populations, focus on the difficult access to water and the poor
management of the watering places, the difficulties to call for the financial
participation of the population for the creation and the management of watering
places and the borehole characteristics which are too often inappropriate: even
if this water is neither used for drinking nor for cooking, it is nevertheless
inappropriate.
Globally, Africa is urbanising at a rate of about 5 per
cent, the fastest rate in the world. The urban population in Africa could rise
from 138 million in 1990 to 500 million in 2020, and African cities with over 1
million inhabitants will then have to accommodate nearly 200 million people.
Regarding water, a survey conducted in 1990 in 29 sub-Saharan countries showed
that eight of these countries suffered from a shortage or a scarcity of water.
According to estimates, in 2025, that number should increase to 20 out of 29.
For instance, Lagos, the commercial centre of Nigeria, the
African country with the largest population, has nearly 14 million inhabitants,
that is to say half the population of Kenya and more that most African
countries. It is the most populated city in Africa – Lagos is the sixth-largest
city in the world and could become the third-largest in two decades. This would
require greater access to water supply and other infrastructures as well as
essential services for millions of additional inhabitants. Moreover, as in many
other African countries, Lagos is about to face a real water crisis.
The main challenge in water resources management is to
create an enabling environment that encourages joint management of
transboundary water resources. To ensure the availability and effective use of
water resources, today’s multiple arrangements should be rationalized – guided
by the principles of equitable rights and sustainable and efficient water use.
The weaknesses of river basin organizations should be addressed in line with best
practices in Africa and elsewhere.
Cooperation should not be limited to countries shared water
basins. It should extend to cooperation between sub-regional groups as well. Regional
economic communities overlapping river basin organizations should work together
to achieve the goals of the African Water Vision for 2025 and the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development. Moreover, interaction between those
groups and national water structures would ensure that national goals are
aligned with development possibilities – including those for increased
hydropower.
We cannot enter the 21st century with the usual commercial
approach we are used to having concerning water management in big cities. We
must make a realistic assessment of our water management capabilities in
specific circumstances. We must dare. We must show unfailing commitment to
equity. We need political determination. It is important that research and
education play their role and lead the way that will best achieve fairness and
efficiency in the long term. Finally we need national and international
collaboration and understanding because sustainable water management represents
long term security for all of us #WaterAccess #Sustainability #SDG6 #SDGS #HumanityandInclusivity
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