The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, on Thursday urged state governments to priotitse access to provision of potable water supply and stop paying ‘lip service’ to the issue.

Adamu told newsmen in preparation for the commemoration of the 2019 World Water Day slated for March 22, with the theme: ‘Leaving No One Behind’.

According to him, a large number of states have refused to prioritise provision of water supply, saying the burden was left to the Federal Government.

He said all the Federal Government was bound to do was to provide bulk water through its dams and river basins, saying the states had the responsibility to reticulate the bulk water to houses.

According to the minister, ordinarily and constitutionally, the Federal Government has nothing to do with actual provision of water supply to the tap.

“This is the responsibility of state governments and local governments.

“There is no state or city in this country that can boast of 100 per cent piped borehole water supply, none.”

He said that efforts of Federal Government to incentivise the states on water supply was the inauguration of the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme. noting that so far, 22 states had signed the protocol.

The minister said that this was being implemented in Kano and Ogun states, with focus on building water schemes, providing sanitation facilities for scaling up access, especially in rural areas.

Adamu said that the ministry was also supporting provision of potable water supply and Sanitation to Internally Displaced Persons camps, saying such investment costs one billion dollars and N500 million respectively.

He said so far, no fewer than 173 water infrastructure had been constructed in such camps, especially in the North East, with more provision in the 2019 budget.

He lauded efforts of development partners and other stakeholders to scale up sanitation and provision of water, saying such intervention had led to 10 states to be declared open defecation-free.

According to him, Nigeria cannot wait to be the leading country on highest number of open defecators.

“learning from India has shown the need for highest political commitment and massive financial commitment.”

He, however, stressed the need for Behavior Change Communication to create awareness on the importance of scaling up sanitation and hygiene in the country.

While commending the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in declaring a state of emergency in the water and sanitation sector, Adamu said more funds would be allocated to enable programme implementation for the overall benefit of the country.

Dr Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General in a statement said in an increasingly globalised world, the impact of water-related decisions crosses borders and affects everyone.

Azoulay, therefore, called for continuous advocacy for a comprehensive water governance, in the statement to mark the day.

“By prioritising those most in need, we can build more resilient communities, more equal societies and a more peaceful, sustainable world.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Water Day is an annual UN observance day that highlights the importance of freshwater.

The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.

Soure: http://dailypost.ng/2019/03/21/water-scarcity-fg-blasts-state-govts/amp/

Front Page: Lalasticlala

I agree wth the minister 100%. Providing water iste job of state and local governments. It's crazy state water boards let facilities deteriorate instead of expanding over the decades. Water boards should be providing piped water and send bill monthly like anywhere else in the world.

“There is no state or city in this country that can boast of 100 per cent piped borehole water supply, none.”

You know that includes FCT. Lol even in the planned city like Abuja the government still failed in this aspect. Lead by example get FCT to 100%.

This time they have shift blames to State Government. It seems they forgot to blame Goodluck Jonathan.

NextGovernor:
This time they have shift blames to State Government. It seems they forgot to blame Goodluck Jonathan.

its actually d state's responsibility to provide portable water but state govenors are as incompetent as the federal govt.

He said that efforts of Federal Government to incentivise the states on water supply was the inauguration of the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme. noting that so far, 22 states had signed the protocol.

Lol hope this wont end up like UBEC grants where states refuse to participate for reason best known to them.

He said all the Federal Government was bound to do was to provide bulk water through its dams and river basins, saying the states had the responsibility to reticulate the bulk water to houses.

That's weird but ok. The plans not working. I wouldn't think its very hard for certain states to source for water consider how easy it is get borehole water. I assume there's aquifers or watersheds around. The big issue is building infrastructure to store the water, pipe it and treat it for reuse.

Interesting opinion poll from NOI polls. Only 17% of respondents said they get water from public source. 3% get it from public tap which isnt good.

people still wait for government to give them water? what happened to drilling boreholes?

Ambode sef

“There is no state or city in this country that can boast of 100 per cent piped borehole water supply, none.”

Bore hole is actually a danger to communities. What we should have is a water works (production, treatment, supply) as part of state infrastructures.

The people first failed their governments by demanding for road and bridges and the government also failed the people by neglecting what people need and responding to what they want by making bridge, flyover and road the signature of achievement. Meanwhile there is no clean and safe water to drink.