By Abdullahi Lukman
The federal government has completed over 135 water projects over the last one year as part of President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to enhance agriculture and ensure food security across the country.
The government is also currently implementing 64 water projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project.
Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, made this announcement during the closing session of the 31st Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, over the weekend.
Utsev highlighted several key achievements by the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, noting that since the last Council Meeting in February 2024, significant progress had been made.
“We have accomplished over 40 projects across rural, small town, and urban water supply,” he said.
In addition to the 135 completed projects, the ministry has overseen the construction of 44 projects under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) program, and the completion of 45 projects under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) program.
Furthermore, the Ministry has awarded 113 contracts for water supply, with these projects currently at various stages of construction.
“These efforts are part of our ongoing commitment to improving access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene across the nation,” Utsev added.
In addition to infrastructure projects, the Ministry is also in the process of developing a National WASH Policy in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and other key stakeholders.
Utsev also listed the completion of significant projects such as the building of the Asaba and Umuahia National Water Quality Reference Laboratories.
