The Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Kayode Oladele, has sought closer cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to ensure the equitable distribution of water infrastructure across all regions of Nigeria.
It’s emphasised that access to potable water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and remains essential to public health, agricultural development, food security, climate resilience and economic growth.
Oladele disclosed this in Abuja, during a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev.
He said: “Our visit today aligns with the second mandate of our Commission, which concerns the equitable distribution of social amenities and infrastructure. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and our shared commitment to building a fairer, more inclusive, and more prosperous Nigeria.
“While many Nigerians know the FCC mainly as the agency responsible for ensuring equitable distribution of public sector employment, our constitutional role is broader. Section 4 of the FCC Act empowers us to promote and enforce equity in the distribution of social and economic infrastructure across the federation. This includes water resources, dams, irrigation facilities, and related projects.
“In recognition of this mandate, we seek stronger collaboration with your ministry to ensure that water-related infrastructure and services are equitably distributed across all parts of Nigeria, especially underserved and vulnerable communities.
“Access to potable water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and a critical driver of public health, food security, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic development.”
He also revealed that the FCC is developing an Integrated Character Compliance Database to monitor project distribution nationwide, adding that President Tinubu has made it clear that exclusionary practices in federal resource allocation will no longer be tolerated.
In his remarks, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, welcomed the FCC delegation and affirmed the Ministry’s readiness to partner with the Commission to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Ministry has recorded significant progress in dam construction, water supply schemes, sanitation services, and flood control across the six geopolitical zones. He also highlighted several key national programmes currently underway:
He said: “Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project (SPRIP): Focused on rehabilitating dams and integrating hydropower components to boost electricity generation and irrigation. SUB-WASH: Provides water and sanitation services to rural and semi-urban communities.
“P-WASH: A World Bank–supported programme complementing SUB-WASH to expand safe water access. Clean Nigeria Campaign: A flagship initiative aimed at making all 774 LGAs open-defecation-free through provision of facilities and nationwide sensitisation.”
Utsev said the Ministry is working with the Head of Service, religious bodies, traditional institutions, community groups and media organisations to address behavioural challenges that encourage open defecation despite the availability of facilities.
He assured the FCC of full cooperation, noting that both institutions must work together to ensure fairness in the distribution of water projects and information across Nigeria. “We will continue to carry out the directives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in making Nigeria a better place.”
