WORLD WATER DAY: Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike

The World Water Day is a United Nation day globally observed 22nd March of every year to celebrate the significance and relevance of water. Water resources and the range of services they provide underpin poverty reduction and environmental sustainability from food, energy, healthy living ,social well being and inclusive growth that affects the livelihood of billions.

A good access to drinking water and sanitation promotes an educated and healthy work force which constitutes an essential factor for sustained economic growth.

World Water Day was first celebrated on 22nd March, 1993. This year's observance is focused on water and jobs. It aims to highlight how water can create paid and decent work and also contribute to a greener economy and sustainable development.
Water is a key factor in generating job opportunities especially in economic sectors that are heavily water dependent such as agriculture, fishing, power industry and health institutions. For instance, increase in agricultural productivity through efficient water use positively impacts on the economic growth and eventual employment generation.
Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation services is vital to human health. United Nation estimated that about 650 million people or more of the world's population do not have access to water thereby putting them at risk of infectious diseases and premature death. A healthy work force is required for any high growth economy, which is sustainable in an environment where there is access to clean water, infrastructure and improved sanitation for every person.

The human right to water and sanitation as adopted by the United Nation General assembly in 2010 entitles every one to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use. This along with improved sanitation catalyses a country's high economic growth. Therefore, those who are fortunate to have the blessing of this provision ought to be really thankful and not wasteful of this resource. Water should be used very economically.
The importance of safe drinking water and clean environment cannot be over emphasized. According to WHO data, infections caused by lack of safe or portable water and an unclean environment can cause one death every minute in most parts of our nation. Fresh water is one of our most vital resources and when our water is polluted, it is not only devastating to the environment but also to human health.

Safe drinking water and basic sanitation is of direct relevance to maternal health. Pregnant women who drink contaminated water are exposed to major diseases which results to high mortality rate during pregnancy.
Our failure to adequately manage our environment, homes, offices, streets, markets etc contribute enormously to the burden of contracting both air and water borne diseases. It is very sad to know that hundreds of people especially children die every day from water borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea etc.

The quality of our lives is directly linked to the quality of our water. There's a popular saying that water is life and also, cleanliness is next to godliness. By supporting and actively participating in ensuring a clean and healthy environment through proper disposal of our waste at approved or designated areas, it will go a long way in guaranteeing our access to portable drinking water.

Let us all join hands by doing our bit in ensuring a clean, healthy and safe Rivers State for us all.
God bless and keep you and your families.

From Her Excellency,
Hon. Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike,
The Wife of His Excellency,
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,
The Governor of Rivers State