Impact Of Pure Water Production On The Economic Development Of Nigeria

Project and Seminar Material for Economics

Abstract

Almost every nook and cranny in Nigeria is littered with sachet water nylon, popularly called “pure water”, As noted by Edoga et al. (2008), about 70 percent of Nigerian adults drink at least a sachet of pure water per day resulting in about 50 to 60 million used daily across the country. this has significant impact on the economy of Nigeria.
This study recommends that the pure water business should be allowed to thrive. This is because it provides employment for labour and profitable to the owners. The study further suggest that the pure water production should be encouraged in Nigeria under a guided atmosphere such that non-registered pure water factories are not allowed to produce untreated water for human consumption, that the water source be subjected to periodic test by analysts and that pure water should be produced under hygienic condition that conforms with the standard required by the NAFDAC.

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 pure water production on the Nigeria economy with specific attention to Nnewi North L.G.A of Anambra State .

The specific objectives are to:

Analyse how pure water production has impacted positively on the Nigeria economy
Assess the extent to which pure water production has created income generation.

1.4 Research Questions

What are the impact of pure production on the economy of Nigeria?.
Has the production of pure water created income generation in Nigeria?

1.5 Statement of the Research Hypothesis

This study would be guided by the following hypothesis

Ho pure water production has not impact positively on the economy of Nigeria.
Hi pure water production has impact positively on the economy of Nigeria.
Ho pure water production do not contribute towards economic development of Nigeria.
Hi pure water production contribute towards economic development of Nigeria

1.6 Scope of the Study

With the aim of examining the impact of pure water production on the economy of Nigeria, pure water should be produced under hygienic condition that conforms with 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 pure water production as well as the impact of pure water production on the economy of Nigeria, hence this study .the researcher examined the impact of pure 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

Some factors may limit the level of accuracy and reliability of this study. Factors include:

Difficulty in obtaining data
Low response rate from individual parties.

Chapter Five

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary

The study centres on impact of pure water production on the economy of Nigeria,using Nnewi North L.G.A (Anambra State) as a case study.

The specific objectives include;

To Analyses how pure water production has impacted positively on the Nigeria economy
To Assess the extent to which pure water production has created income generation.

The study covered 143 staff in 7 selected pure water production factory in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Based on the study, two research questions and two null hypothesis were raised. A total number of 140 questionnaires were used for this study. Self-designed questionnaire was used to collect data. The data collected was analyses using frequency, percentage and weighted means. The two null hypotheses postulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The statistical technique used for the analysis was a five point likert scale and z-test was used for the test of hypothesis. The findings revealed the following;

Pure water production has significantly impacted positively in Nigeria economy
Pure water production has created a lot of employement opportunity in the country.
Pure water production champions government self-reliance policies

5.2 Conclusion

Based on the result of this study it was concluded that production of pure water have contributed immensely toward the economic development of Nigeria.

5.3 Recommendations

The study recommends that the pure water business should be allowed to thrive. This is because it provides employment for labour and profitable to the owners. Hence it is a viable business in Nigeria. However, the business should be properly guided so that non registered enterprises are not allowed to produce untreated water for human consumption in Nigeria. Above all, NAFDAC should ensure that the sources of water used by packaged water factories are subjected to periodic test by public analysts to test the safety of such sources of water. Finally, the environment and condition in which the products are been produced should be hygienic and conformed with the standard required by World Health Organization.