Nigeria assures citizens of universal access to potable water by 2030

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, says the Federal Government remains committed to making potable water available to all Nigerians by 2030.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Water Week in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Adamu stressed that without universal access to safe water and sanitation, poverty and inequality would not be eradicated in any country.

“We are working to ensure that all Nigerians have access to potable water by 2030 through urban water sector reform programme.

“We realise that implementing the first and second urban water reform programmes has resulted in moderate success and improved pipe water supply. If we put more efforts, we can achieve more,’’ he said.

The minister noted the safe water target of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) could not be achieved owing to the sole reliance on budgetary allocation.

Adamu hinted that the country would soon launch the National Programme on Partnerships for Extending Water, Sanitation and Hygiene with a view to meeting the Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6) which revolves around universal access to water.

The programme, the minister said, is a partnership among the three tiers of government, development partners and communities to commit funds towards meeting the SDG 6 by 2030.

According to him, Nigeria needs to take the lead, rather than relying on development partners, adding that government would do everything possible to reform the water sector due to its centrality to the health, agriculture and other spheres of the national economy.

Adamu said his ministry had created a data bank and undertaken census of water supply as well as sanitation and water infrastructure in the country.

The Tanzanian meeting is geared at laying the foundation for Africa to achieve the SDG 6 and other aspects of the SDGs that relate with water resources management.

The Week represents a political commitment at the highest level for creating platform to discuss and collectively seek solutions to the continent’s water and sanitation challenges.