Abuja: The Federal Government has called upon development partners to assist in the large-scale production and distribution of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) vials, which are crucial for water quality testing across Nigeria. This appeal was made by Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, during a quarterly meeting of the National Core Group on Water Quality in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ugoh highlighted the successful pilot testing of H2S vials in UNICEF-supported states, which showed promising results in detecting bacterial contamination, particularly from faecal matter. Despite the encouraging outcomes, Ugoh expressed concerns over limited funding, which has hindered the national scale-up of these testing kits. She emphasized that while the ministry’s laboratories have the production capacity, external support is essential for expanding operations.
Ugoh pointed out that most of the H2S vials currently used for community-based water monitoring are supplied by UNICEF, raising sustainability concerns for a broader national rollout. She called for strategic partnerships and mentioned the potential role of the ministry’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) unit in mobilizing support.
Dr Bolu Onabolu from the Network of Female Professionals in WASH also spoke at the meeting, drawing attention to poor sewage management as a significant contributor to rising nitrate levels in water sources. She advocated for a review of technical guidelines by the National Water Resources Institute to address safe containment systems, especially in areas with high water tables. Onabolu urged for enhanced collaboration with the National Task Group on Sanitation and improved enforcement by Environmental Health Officers and Town Planners.
Mr Ibe Chinedu of the FCT Water Board stressed the importance of including private water producers in stakeholder dialogues. He expressed concerns over low pH levels in bottled water brands due to reverse osmosis treatment and called for clear regulations on remineralisation. He also highlighted contamination risks from illegal pipe connections and poor consumer practices.
Mr Babalola Emmanuel, Chief Scientific Officer at the ministry, presented findings from a national water quality assessment, revealing high contamination levels, including excessive concentrations of fluoride, ammonia, cyanide, cadmium, lead, arsenic, mercury, and nitrate across several states. He announced plans for a validation exercise using representative sampling, with a technical report to be developed for wider stakeholder engagement.
In an interview with NAN, Mr Obinna Ogbodo, Sanitation and Hygiene Coordinator at WaterAid, emphasized the importance of water quality for public health and sustainable development. He noted that climate change is exacerbating water contamination and limiting access to safe drinking water. Ogbodo detailed WaterAid’s efforts in collaborating with government institutions and local partners to strengthen water safety plans and support climate-resilient WASH infrastructure.
The meeting, as reported by NAN, included representatives from federal and state governments, development agencies, NGOs, and water quality experts. A highlight of the event was the presentation of an appreciation gift to Dr Fatimah Ojo from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, who retired from public service.
