The federal government says it has completed over 135 water projects in the past one year as part of President Bola Tinubu’s drive to boost agriculture and ensure food security in the country.
In addition, the FG is currently implementing 64 projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, disclosed this at the weekend during the closing of the 31st Regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation which was held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Utsev also mentioned that the FG has awarded 113 contracts for water supply, which are currently at various stages of construction.
He said: “Some significant progress made by the Ministry since the last Council Meeting held in February 2024, in Abuja.
“The Ministry has accomplished over 40 different projects across rural, small towns and urban water supply. Other achievements include:
Construction of 44 projects under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme; completion of 45 projects under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme;
“Implementation of 64 projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project;
Award of 113 contracts for water supply, which are currently at various stages of construction.
“We are in the process of developing the National WASH Policy in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders”.
The Minister listed some of the ministry’s achievements to include: Water Quality, Sanitation and Hygiene, completion of the building of Asaba and Umuahia National Water Quality Reference Laboratories among others.