The Federal Government has restated its commitment to achieving access to clean, safe , sustainable water and sanitation services for citizens.
Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE stated this today while addressing the global community at the ongoing Africa Water Sanitation Systems Leadership Symposium holding in Kigali, the Republic of Rwanda.
Prof. Utsev informed the international community that under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigerian government has moved the water and sanitation sector from fragmented institutions to a more coordinated national systems by bringing all stakeholders on board through various programs, projects and reforms.
Some of the reforms according to the Minister include, Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply,Sanitation, and Hygiene, SURWASH, Clean Nigeria;Use the Toilet Campaign, Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria, SPIN, Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, PEWASH, and the National Action Plan through collaboration with development partners such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, UNICEF, Water Aid and private sector to complement government resources.
According to him, as part of unwavering commitment to accelerate the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal six target by the year 2030, the Nigerian government through his ministry has commenced the development of the National Water Compact, designed to address water for people, water for food and water for planet in collaboration with states and local governments adding that, the final draft of Water Compact will be validated by stakeholders this month.
Prof.Utsev said, the Nigerian government through AMCOW, is collaborating with other African countries towards the attainment of the Africa Implementation Programme, AIP.
He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration from leaders ,development partners and other critical stakeholders across Africa to accelerate action towards achieving universal access to clean safe and sustainable water for citizens .
Earlier, while declaring the Symposium open, Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Doctor Justin Nsengiyumva, appealed to leaders and development partners across Africa to make sincere commitments and practical actions towards achieving Africa’s vision of achieving access to sustainable water and sanitation services by the year 2063.
The Symposium with the theme “Accelerating Water and Sanitation Transformation for Sustainable Impact ” is being hosted by the Government of Rwanda, co-convened by the African Minister’s on Water (AMCOW)and facilitated by IRC Africa, focuses on strengthening leadership, governance, regulation, professional capacity, and strategic public finance to create reliable and investment ready systems is being attended by over 700 delegates across African and the World.
