Abstract
This study examined the levels of rural water access and coverage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In Akwa Ibom State, there are two statutory bodies involved in water supply: Akwa Ibom State Water Company Limited and Akwa Ibom State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. Apart from these two statutory bodies, the federal government, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Exxon Mobil, and other foreign bodies are involved in rural water supply. This study explores the contribution of these bodies towards improved rural water coverage and access using scientific approach. Data on mini water schemes and hand pump boreholes in rural areas in the state were obtained from official records and utilized for analysis. The result indicated inequity in the location of projects. The distribution however does not conform to the clearly spelt out criteria for sitting of water schemes in the rural communities. With this distribution gap created by such chaotic pattern, it was apt to examine the level of access which also revealed that access to safe water in the state is grossly inadequate. At the state level, the coverage and access levels of 37.69 and 33.99% were observed. Four spatial factors were examined to ascertain their influence on rural water supply using correlation analysis and result singled out rural population to be highly significant correlated with the number of safe water points(r=0.678). This implies that about 46% of variance in safe water points in rural areas of the state is explained by rural population factor. It can be inferred that poor coverage and access to safe water facilities provide clear indicators of the state of poverty in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State and thus, call for urgent attention.
Key words: Water coverage, water access, rural areas, trends, dimensions, Nigeria.
