United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has identified a funding gap of $9.2 billion in Nigeria’s Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
Deputy Representative of Programme, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr. Rownak Khan, revealed this during her visit to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of State, Bello Goronyo, in Abuja.
For Nigeria to implement the roadmap for the WASH sector, she said the funding gaps must be closed, adding that tiers of government must do more by providing an enabling environment that would advance the cause.
According to Khan, working together to change the poor narrative will require new government financing at all levels, noting that low water access and poor sanitation are affecting children the most.
She pledged UNICEF’s sustained partnership with the Federal Government in the Campaign to End Open Defecation and Improve Access to Water Supply.
The minister acknowledged the impactful contributions of UNICEF to the country’s development in the areas of water and sanitation, among others.
Utsev acknowledged the link between WASH, health promotion, economic growth and development, saying it would help promote inclusive development.
He said: “UNICEF has done tremendously well in the areas of water and sanitation, nutrition and health, and the impact is felt in all aspects.
“Nigerian government is also working on its programmes like WASH in schools, WASH in health and Youth WASH interventions.”
The minister assured UNICEF of the Federal Government’s commitment towards improving the nation’s WASH sector, adding that the government’s door was always open for more collaboration with development partners.
On his part, Goronyo stressed the need for key stakeholders in the WASH sector to up their game in supporting the Federal Government to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said partnership with the Federal Government would help achieve the campaign to end open defecation and improve access to water supply.
The ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, said the meeting had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Dame Didi Walson-Jack and some directors in the ministry.
