DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND DELIVERY OF SOCIAL SERVICES IN NIGERIA: A CASE OF WATER AND SANITATION

The principles of democracy and social justice demand that the legitimacy of a popularly elected government, rest on a claim to represent the desires of its citizens; to guarantee the majority of the citizens decent living standard. In line with the above principles, the policy directions and documents were produced such as the NEEDS, SEEDS and LEEDS to ensure good governance, which is expected to enhance water supply and sanitation. Taking cognizance of the above fact, the Nigerian democratic government articulated, “National rural water supply and sanitation programme” to cater for the needs of rural communities. This programme is composed of key components of hygiene promotion and education, sanitation and water supply encompassing: Government; ESAs, and private sector/NGO programmes. However, it has been observed that departs government effort at providing adequate water supply, the water coverage in the country appears to be decreasing and deteriorating. This is a result of enormous socio-economic rate of development, which far outstrips the level of water supply development, low investment level in operation and maintenance, which accounts for frequent break down of the production facilities and the lack of the proper management of the nation’s water resources to improve livelihood. This raise the question of, what government at all levels are doing or failed to do to alleviate the situation of about 71% of those living in rural communities that have no access to safe water supply or adequate sanitation. Consequently, the lack of clean water and poor sanitation contributes to poverty because of the resultant disease burden, negative impact on human capital development and ultimately restriction on production. Five decades since independence in 1960, rural water supply and sanitation development in Nigeria has proceeded inconsistently. It suffered from poor coordination, lack of clear policy direction, lack of focus in terms of the rural population with safe water and improved sanitation services. In all, inadequate drinking water and sanitation services rob poor families of opportunities to comfortable life. Inspite of the fact that Nigeria is one of the signatories to the United Nations International drinking water to all citizen of the country between 2000 and 2015 the road ahead to achieve the target is elusive.