1.1 Introduction
Water is used for domestic purposes (potable water), industry (utility water) and agriculture (irrigation): flood control, power production; inland water transport and recreation (Ali, 2018). Many environmentalists are of the opinion that water supply projects are executed to provide flood protection and full charges should be paid by users to ensure conservation and protection of water resources (AfDB, 2010). water is provided to protect the environment through flood control, its supply to the users can serve the purposes of enhancing their health, by reducing the prevalence of water borne diseases and also generate revenue to the service providers so as to enhance the viability and financial sustainability of these projects (Ali, 2018).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute the new global agenda which succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) referred to as Agenda 2030 signifying the timeline for the attainment of SDGs globally (United Nations, 2017). The SDGs provided a comprehensive agenda consisting of 17 goals, 169 targets and well over 200 indicators. The SDGs provided a global five “Ps” agenda: people, prosperity, planet, peace and partnership meant for all nations of the world. The Sustainable Development Goals consist of No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, Reducing Inequality, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life Below Water, Life On Land, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, Partnerships for the Goals. The goals are broad based and interdependent. This 17 Sustainable Development Goal's has targets which are measured by indicators.
The benefits of investing in water supply projects and services encompasses the social, environmental and economic, these are benefits to government, individuals and households and even the environment. The benefits from improved water supply according to Araral and Holamo (2007) include time saved in fetching water, cost savings on non-incremental water consumption, reduced incidence of water borne diseases, flood control, employment opportunities, decreased distance to water source, and increase in water consumption per capita and time and travel costs, flood control among others. Government has a responsibility to the citizens to put in place the social infrastructure like roads, schools, health infrastructure and services, water supply projects and services at the cost that can deliver enormous benefits to individuals and the entire citizenry. Some of the benefits to government of improved water supply projects and services are not limited to reduced burden and cost of epidemics and diseases, flood control, water supply reliability but to increase government revenue generation among others.
Consequently, the SDGS goal also seeks to develop the educational sector and make education accessible to all.
Therefore, in Ringim Local Government of Jigawa State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Impacts of Sustainable Development Goals on Water Provision.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that the advent of sustainable development goals has brought some relative improvement in the number of children enrollment in primary schools. However, gaining access to education cannot be equated to having access to quality education. Therefore, a greater milestone still exists for the attainment of SDGS goal of providing quality education.
This is evidenced in the lack of educational facilities required for learning by pupils and lack of well ventilated classroom Blocks. Also, poor funding at the primary school level all constitute major challenges to the SDGs. Therefore, the problem confronting the study is an assessment of the impact of sustainable development goals on the development of primary education in Nigeria.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Impacts of Sustainable Development Goals on Water Provision using Ringim Local Government Jigawa State 2015 - 2021 as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To investigate the factors inhibiting the provision of water in the study area
- To investigate the relationship between sustainable development goals and water provision in the study area.
- To examine the impact of sustainable development goals on the development of water provision in the study area.
- To understand the challenges of sustainable development goals project in the study area.
- To examine the socioeconomic benefits of water supply projects in Ringim Local Government Jigawa State.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors inhibiting the provision of water in the study area?
- What is the relationship between sustainable development goals and water provision in the study area?
- What is the impact of sustainable development goals on the development of water provision in the study area?
- What are the challenges of sustainable development goals project in the study area?
- What are the socioeconomic benefits of water supply projects in Ringim Local Government Jigawa State?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between sustainable development goals and the provision of water in Ringim Local Government of Jigawa State
- H1: There is a significant relationship between sustainable development goals and the provision of water in Ringim Local Government of Jigawa State
1.7 Significance of Study
The study is an assessment of the impacts of sustainable development goals on water provision in Ringim Local Government Jigawa State. It provides relevant data for the effective formulation and implementation of policies to enhance the realization of envisaged objective.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Impacts of Sustainable Development Goals on Water Provision using Ringim Local Government Jigawa State 2015 - 2021 as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Sustainable Development Goals: The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute the new global agenda which succeeded the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) referred to as Agenda 2030 signifying the timeline for the attainment of SDGs globally. The SDGs provided a comprehensive agenda consisting of 17 goals, 169 targets and well over 200 indicators.
Economics Defined: Economic is viewed as the science which studies the process and institutions which govern the satisfaction of the limitless human wants within the limits imposed by availability of resources which have alternative uses.
Education Defined: Education is viewed as the process of inviting truth and possibility. It is the wise, hopeful and respectful cultivation of learning undertaken in the belief that all should have the chance to share in life.
