By Obiabin Onukwugha
The World Bank has advocated for an effective public private partnership (PPP) and collective action from all stakeholders to bridge the water and sanitation gap in Nigeria.
World Bank Global Director for Water, Saroj Kumar, made the call during a working visit to Nigeria at the weekend.
He revealed that the visit was to inform the Nigerian government of the Bank’s new vision for water, which is helping countries with expertise and framework needed in addressing water challenges in communities around the world.
Responding, Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, stated that the federal government is taking steps to develop a National Water Compact aimed at strengthening sustainable water resources management and improve climate resilience across the country.
He stated that the effort aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which targets universal access to clean water and sanitation (WASH) by 2030.
According to the Minister, the National Water Compact will provide a unified reform road-map for the entire water sector and strengthen institutional accountability.
Prof. Utsev explained that “the Water Compact will mobilise blended financing, enhance private sector participation, mainstream climate resilience and gender inclusion as well as establish measurable performance targets.”
He acknowledged the sustained partnership and technical leadership of the World Bank in the implementation of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria TRAINING Programme which has laid a solid institutional and infrastructural foundation for modern irrigation management, strengthened River Basin Development Authorities and improved dam safety as well as promoted farmer-led irrigation management models.
Prof. Utsev added that the World Bank project will cover irrigation, water supply, sanitation, hydropower, dam safety and water governance, which will integrate climate adaptation and mitigation strategies and as well, serve as a platform for coordinated donor and development partner engagement.
