By Ojugbele Omotunde
Plastic waste pollution has continued to be a source of global concern, contributing significantly to climate change issues.
The use of plastic water bottles has been a major factor in Nigeria’s expanding plastic waste mountains. This problem is made worse by the lack of access to safe drinking water.
Plastic bottled water are widely consumed by majority of households because they are perceived as safe and healthy for drinking. But there’s a significant environmental cost associated with this comfort. Plastic water bottles are frequently disposed of incorrectly in Nigeria, which causes a serious environmental issue such as flooding and water bodies contamination.
Reducing the need for plastic bottles is the easiest method to reduce waste from them and this can be achieved through the provision of potable tap water in all states, local governments and local communities.
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By this, Nigeria can solve its water scarcity and drastically cut down on plastic waste by switching to tap water.
During the Military Government of General Ibrahim Babangida in 1986, he established the rural infrastructural development programme and established the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI). The programme was to open up the rural areas for effective agricultural activities and boost food production. This programme also included water distribution through taps in some local communities.
Regretfully, Nigerian tap water quality and availability are currently below par and as majority of the homes lack access to clean drinking water, bottled water is increasingly used.
Tap water has a lot of potential to help Nigeria with its water scarcity and plastic waste issues. It can rival bottled water with conscious investments and proper management by government at all levels.
Also, in order to encourage tap water usage, both the public and private sectors have a role to play by creating awareness campaigns and supplying the infrastructure and finance that are required.
Tap water usage has been effectively adopted by nations like Canada and Denmark. Their tactics can act as a model for Nigeria.
