CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Background to the Study
Water
has been identified to be very important to human existence because it is very
necessary for survival. A reliable supply of clean wholesome water is crucial
in an attempt to promote healthy living amongst the inhabitants of a
well defined geographical region (Mustapha and Adam, 1999). In an attempt to
proffer solution to water problem, it was estimated that 1.2 billion people
around the world does not have access to clean safe water and about 2.5 billion
people are not provided with adequate sanitation (Third World Water Forum,
2003). Majority of the affected people that lack access to clean safe water and
adequate sanitation are located in the developing countries because the
standard industrialized global model for safe water delivery and sanitation
technology is not affordable (Gadgil and Derby, 2003).
1.2 Statement
of the research problem
Narrowing
down to Nigeria, the supply or provision of public drinking water is not
reliable (Egwari and Aboaba, 2002). As a result, this has adversely affected
the good health of Nigerians most especially during the dry season (Adesunkanmi
and Ajao, 1986). In Nigeria, ground water and pipe borne (tap) water are the
major sources of drinking water. These sources are said to be unsafe sources of
drinking water because findings indicated that ground water sources contain
trace elements, dissolved solids and pathogens in excessive quantities that may
be dangerous to the health of the people. Consequently, most of the
investigations carried out on ground water samples from different parts of
Nigeria revealed that most of the available sources of water or water types are
polluted or contaminated hence, were not fit for drinking purpose
(Ogunbanjo,2004 and Tijani, 2003) cited in Olaposi (2009) unpublished PhD
Thesis. In addition, physical assessment of many public supplied pipe-borne
water samples also testified to their poor quality.An example of locally
developed alternative of safe water provision in Nigeria is the drinking water
sold in polythene sachets and plastic bottles.
there are few studies on the impact of pure water production on the
economy of Nigeria to employment creation, income generation and wealth
creation, hence this study.
1.3 Objectives of the study
The broad
objective of this study is to assess the impact of water production on the
Nigeria economy, using Eva water as a case study.
The specific
objectives are to:
i.
Analyse
how water production has impacted positively on the Nigeria economy
ii.
Assess the extent to which water
production has created income generation.
1.4 Research questions
i. What
are the impact of water production on the economy of Nigeria?.
ii. Has
the production of water created income generation in Nigeria?
1.5
Statement of the research hypothesis
This study would be guided by the
following hypothesis
1.
Ho.
Water production has not impact positively on the economy of Nigeria.
Hi. Water production has impact positively on
the economy of Nigeria.
2
Ho. Water production do not contribute
towards economic development of Nigeria.
Hi. Water production contribute towards
economic development of Nigeria
1.6 Scope of the Study
This
scope of this study is to examine the impact of water production on the economy
of Nigeria, as water is expected to be produced under hygienic condition that
conforms to the standard required by agencies such as NAFDAC.
1.7 Significance of the study
Most
researchers in Nigeria have not taken time to document the nature, production
techniques and processes involved in water production as well as the impact of water production on the economy of Nigeria,
hence in this study, the researcher examined the impact of water production on
the Nigeria economy which include: provision of employment for labour, provision
of clean and treated water among others.
1.8 Limitation of
the study
Using
Nigeria Bottling Company, the manufacturer of Eva water alone may limit the
level of accuracy and reliability of this study. Some factors which may
restrict the study includes:
i.
Difficulty
in obtaining data
ii.
Low
response rate from individual