Urban Water project: FG on phase III to improve access to water
NAN-AE-1
Water
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Sept. 25, 2017 (NAN) The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, says the Federal Government is on the phase III of the National Urban Water Sector Reform Project to address challenges in the water sector and boost water supply.
Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the objectives of the reform project were to improve access to piped water in the project states.
He said that the project was also to make the water agencies financially and commercially viable to deliver sustainable water services.
“Improved access to water and sanitation in urban areas is key to an all-inclusive growth in the country.
“Thus, no fewer than $1.5 billion credits have been mobilised for the urban water and sanitation sector through the reform program alone, apart from grants provided to support the efforts by the European Union, USAID and JICA.’’
In a breakdown of the $1.5 billion credit, the minister said that eight states: Kaduna, Ogun, Enugu, Lagos, Cross River, Rivers, Ekiti and Bauchi are benefiting from a $770 million World Bank loan.
He said that nine other states: Ondo, Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Benue, Plateau, Anambra, Abia and Bayelsa are being prepared for follow up investment.
Adamu said the World Bank credits had been complemented by the French Development Agency (AFD) with a total credit of $111.1million for Ogun, Lagos and Cross River States.
“Furthermore, the African Development Bank is investing a total of $381 million in Taraba, Oyo, Kaduna and Rivers States, while Islamic Development Bank is making investments of $121million in Kaduna and Osun States.
The minister said it was saddening to note that most project assessment reports received from the funding agencies rated the projects outcome either moderately unsatisfactory or outrightly unsatisfactory.
“This is a cause for concern, why is it that what works in other climes cannot work in our situation? It shows that our problems are more attitudinal than money.
“We need to look into this with a view to reversing it immediately,” Adamu stressed.
He said that it was important to note that successes could not be said to have been achieved in the water sector, if the ordinary Nigerian could not be guaranteed a 24-hour supply of potable water.
The minister added that the supply of potable water had to be from an efficient source and distribution network.
The minister stressed the need for state governments to reflect seriously on the dismal situation and begin to invest more in water supply infrastructure and operations. (NAN)
TAK/COF/AFA
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Edited by Olayinka/Felix Ajide