The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has expressed its appreciation for UNICEF’s significant contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
This acknowledgment was made in a press release signed by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Head of the Press and PR Unit at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation in Abuja on Tuesday.
The release coincided with a visit from Dr. Rownak Khan, Deputy Representative of Programme UNICEF Nigeria, and UNICEF WASH Manager, Chiranibi Tiwari, to the Ministry.
During the visit, the UNICEF team was received by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev, alongside the Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, OON, MNI, and several Directors from the Ministry.
Engr. Prof. Utsev emphasized the interconnectedness of WASH, health promotion, economic growth, and development and expressed gratitude to UNICEF for their impactful work in these areas.
He stated, “UNICEF has done tremendously well in the areas of water and sanitation, nutrition, and health, and the impact is felt in all aspects.”
He reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to improving the nation’s WASH sector and welcomed further collaboration with development partners.
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He mentioned ongoing government programs such as WASH in schools, WASH in health, and Youth WASH interventions, among others.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, Esq., stressed the need for key stakeholders in the WASH sector to intensify their efforts in supporting the Federal Government in realizing the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
He highlighted the significance of partnerships in achieving the campaign to end open defecation and improve access to water supply and proper sanitation.
During the courtesy visit, Dr. Rownak Khan, Deputy Representative of Programme, UNICEF Nigeria, revealed a significant funding gap of $9.2 billion in Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
She emphasized the importance of closing these funding gaps to realize the WASH sector’s roadmap and urged all tiers of government to play a more active role in creating an enabling environment to advance the cause of improved water and sanitation.
Dr. Khan also underscored the severe impact of limited water access and poor sanitation on children, highlighting the need for immediate action.
She pledged UNICEF’s unwavering partnership with the Federal Government to achieve the Campaign to End Open Defecation and Improve Access to Water Supply in Nigeria.
