QUALITY OF LIFE IN NIGERIA: AN APPRAISAL OF ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITATION IN COASTAL AND WATERFRONT COMMUNITIES IN DELTA STATE

Abstract

This paper examines the quality of life as it relates to access to water and sanitation in coastal and waterfront communities in Delta State. A total of 450 structured questionnaires were distributed to 30 selected coastal and water-front communities in Delta State. The study employed the Facility Condition Index and other statistical methods in accessing the quality of life through an appraisal of access to water and sanitation. The empirical findings of the study showed a dismay situation since respondents perception with key quality of life facilities was below par. The study also found that only a few in the sampled communities have access to portable water and sanitary facilities, with the vast majority practicing open defecation, thereby polluting water sources which are the main source of drinking water. The paper therefore recommends that both state and federal governments should enact more proactive policies that will ensure that both portable water and sanitation facilities are adequately provided for these fragile communities in order to boost the level of their quality of life.