ADVOCATING FOR COMPREHENSIVE LEGAL PROTECTION AGAINST THE IMPACT OF WATER POLLUTION ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH

This article examines the issue of the right to water, the concept of water pollution, its sources, and its consequences on both human beings and wildlife. It shows that water pollution affects humans’ physical and reproductive health, livelihood, and aquatic organisms negatively. The article appraises the laws governing water pollution in Nigeria. The writer adopts a doctrinal approach and relies mostly on primary and secondary sources of information. The findings of the writer are that Nigeria is not lacking in laws regulating water pollution. Nigeria also has an agency charged with the responsibility of enforcing environmental laws, regulations, and standards in deterring people, industries, and organisations from polluting and degrading the environment, amongst other responsibilities. This is the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). However, the laws make no provisions for victims of reproductive health diseases arising from water pollution. Nigeria is also beset with the challenge of enforcing the enacted laws. The article, therefore, recommends, among others, that provisions recognising the plight of victims of reproductive health diseases should be recognised, while proper enforcement mechanisms should be put in place to ensure that these laws are implemented.