By Abbas Nazil
Six hundred and thirty-eight out of the 774 local government areas across the country are yet to be open defecation-free.
This figure shows that 82 percent of the 774 are yet to be open defecation-free.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, confirmed while defending his ministry’s 2025 budget proposal before the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation in Abuja recently that 136 LGAs attained the open defecation-frer status by the end of 2024.
He said the progress aligns with the government’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) standards nationwide.
Prof. Utsev pledged the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to advancing water and sanitation projects, enhancing agriculture, creating jobs, and tackling the pressing issues of floods and droughts.
In his presentation, the Minister disclosed that the ministry has so far utilized 24.19 percent of the available capital funds from the 2024 budget.
These funds have been directed towards significant ongoing initiatives, such as dam construction, irrigation development, and solar-powered water supply systems.
Prof. Utsev highlighted several milestones achieved during 2024, including the completion of key dam and irrigation projects, which are integral to improving water management and agricultural productivity across the country.
A major highlight of the Ministry’s achievements in 2024 was the progress made in the sanitation sector.
For 2025, the Ministry and its agencies have proposed a budget of ₦211.79 billion, prioritizing the completion of ongoing dam and irrigation projects, the expansion of the WASH program, and scaling up efforts to mitigate flooding and droughts.
These initiatives are expected to further strengthen the country’s water infrastructure and support sustainable development.
During the budget defense, the Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Distinguished Senator Kenneth Eze, commended the Ministry’s efforts and called for increased funding to ensure the completion of ongoing projects.
Other committee members echoed the need to prioritize dam and irrigation projects, emphasizing their crucial role in addressing Nigeria’s water management challenges and mitigating the impact of climate change.
Prof. Utsev expressed gratitude to the Senate Committee for its continued support, emphasizing that with sustained legislative backing, the Ministry is well-positioned to deliver on its mandate.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving access to water resources and sanitation facilities while addressing critical national challenges in line with its development agenda.