ACCESSIBILITY AND USEFULNESS OF COMMUNITY RADIO IN ADDRESSING SUSTAINABLE SAFE DRINKING WATER PRACTICES IN AGBOWA COMMUNITY IN EPE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE

Abstract

This study sets out to assess the extent of the availability, accessibility and usefulness of community radio in addressing sustainable safe drinking water practices in Agbowa community in Epe Local government area of Lagos State. The study takes a critical look at the challenges as well as the factors inhibiting the use of the radio in sustainable developments programmes in Nigeria. The population of study comprises residents in ten (10) streets to include; Ajebo, Ibelefun, Idi oparun, Onijawajawa, Ibelefun, Iganke, Imope, Imoru, and Abute Marine. A sample of 40 residents from each of the ten streets was purposively chosen, giving a total of 400 residents in Agbowa community were chosen for the study. The study adopted Survey research design. The sample size of 396 was determined using the Taro Yemane formula and primary source of data was achieved through the use of well-structured questionnaire. Simple percentage and frequency tables were used to interpret the data collected. The findings of the study revealed that information on safe drinking water practice is inadequate for Agbowa residents as radio stations only give priority to other programmes. The result discloses that radio is a reliable tool for the dissemination of safe drinking water practices which provided information on what people can do to safe guard and sustain safe drinking water in the community. The outcome of the finding discloses that residents participate in radio development programmes in order to make their opinion known to government, so that Government take the health of the community with utmost seriousness in providing safe drinking water for people in the community. The study identified some major challenges faced by residents in Agbowa community to include non-availability of purification chemicals, inadequate information on matters regarding the health of the people and lack of funds. The study concluded that radio stations should as a matter of urgency create effective awareness on safe drinking water practices among the residents of Agbowa community even as the dry season sets in. The study recommended that government at all levels should ensure that measures are put in place to provide safe drinking water for all and create awareness on radio stations to promote healthy living among Nigerians.