In a strategic move to deepen collaboration in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, on Friday welcomed the new UNICEF Country Representative, Ms. Wafaa Saeed, and her delegation to his office in Abuja.

Utsev praised UNICEF for its consistent support, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the organisation.

He noted that the ministry’s achievements in key areas, including Dams, Irrigation, Water Quality, and WASH, would be documented and shared with the UNICEF team to help identify new avenues for collaboration.

Echoing the minister’s stance, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, assured UNICEF of the ministry’s readiness to provide a detailed overview of its initiatives and progress.

Directors from various departments also underscored the tangible results of the UNICEF-Ministry partnership.

They highlighted successful joint efforts in national WASH campaigns and World Water Day commemorations, while calling for increased cooperation, especially in improving water quality for irrigation.

In her remarks, Ms. Wafaa Saeed emphasised the importance of aligning UNICEF’s support with the ministry’s goals.

She emphasised the importance of safe water access, sanitation, and the potential of water resources for hydropower as crucial to national development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Saeed reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to scaling up its support across these priority areas, noting that access to clean water is central to health, education, and economic growth.

Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, said other senior ministry officials present included Directors from Special Duties, Dams and Reservoir Operations, and Water Supply and Support Services, who reiterated their support for the renewed partnership.