Road to disaster in Nigeria 

Prior to 1984, the Ipogun Community in Ondo State Nigeria had access to a piped water supply. It is shocking to discover that not only has their water situation not improved, it has actually got significantly worse.

In 1984 a major road was constructed leading to and from Akure, the capital of Ondo State, Nigeria . During construction the main piped water supply for the Ipogun community was destroyed and not repaired, cutting off the population of over 10,000 people from a clean, reliable water supply.

Today, the community rely on one borehole, forcing many to use the Aponmu River. The river is also used as a toilet because of insufficient sanitation facilities. As it flows below its normal speed it becomes a breeding ground for parasites that cause water-borne diseases. Incidents of Schistosimiasis have reached epidemic levels.

SWAPHEP found that 95% of the population were suffering from this disease with others, women especially, reluctant to reveal their status because of the stigma attached to it. The village has been named by others nearby as “the place where men menstruate" or "Schistosomiasis village”.

The Ipogun community are still suffering the consequences of the decision to build a road through their piped water supply 20 years ago.

SWAPHEP launched a campaign this year to improve both water and sanitation in the area so that they do not have to drink from the same source of water that is used for sanitation. The campaign will include hygiene education and be the start of a national advocacy and education programme for the reduction of water-borne/water-related diseases in Nigeria.

For further information email swaphep@yahoo.com

http://swaphep.virtualactivism.net