FG Reiterates Commitment to Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation for All
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), ensuring universal access to clean water and sanitation, while enhancing Nigeria’s water, sanitation, hydropower, and food systems.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation , Prof. Joseph Utsev stated this Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 8th International Water Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), held in Makurdi, Benue State with the theme: “Sustainable Urban Water Development and Management in Nigeria: Innovative Solutions Towards Achieving SDG 6.”
Prof. Utsev outlined significant projects under the Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing major dam constructions, irrigation schemes, water supply, and sanitation initiatives across Nigeria. He underscored progress on key public-private partnership projects, including the Katsina-Ala and Bawarku dams, as well as the ongoing concessioning of the Datsin Hausa and Itisi dams in Adamawa and Kaduna States respectively
According to him, these projects are designed to boost revenue generation, irrigation, hydropower, sanitation, water supply, tourism, food security, and job creation for Nigerians.
The Minister also highlighted flagship programmes such as the World Bank-supported SURWASH Project, the Ministry’s PEWASH programme, which is expanding access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in both urban and rural communities, as well as the Clean Nigeria Campaign, aimed at eliminating open defecation by 2030.
He extended heartfelt gratitude to President Tinubu for his steadfast support to the Ministry and other government agencies in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda forward and lauded Nigerian engineers and water professionals for their innovative spirit and commitment, emphasizing that their expertise is critical to sustaining progress and universal access to clean water and sanitation in the country
In a statement issued by Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan, the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, the Minister urged participants to leverage the Conference as a platform for innovative ideas, shaping policies, fostering partnerships, and championing the fundamental right to clean water and sanitation for all citizens
Declaring the 8th NIWE International Water Conference open, Prof. Utsev wished all delegates fruitful deliberations and impactful outcomes that will drive Nigeria closer to achieving a water-secure future.
Representing the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Moses Atagher stressed the state government’s readiness to align with all Federal Government intervention programmes on access to safe water resources.
While emphasizing that ‘water is life,’ he underscored access to clean water as a fundamental human right expressing confidence that despite climate change challenges, Nigeria can achieve SDG 6 through innovation, strategic partnerships, environmental resilience, and inclusive, forward-thinking strategies.
In his welcome address, National Chairman of NIWE, Engr. Joshua Sanga, commended delegates and partners, stressing the urgency of innovative solutions to meet Nigeria’s rapidly growing urban water demands.
The National Chairman who urged participants to use the conference as a platform for technical discussions, knowledge sharing, and strategic collaborations to advance sustainable water management nationwide reaffirmed NIWE’s commitment to supporting government initiatives such as SURWASH, the Clean Nigeria Campaign, nationwide dam and irrigation projects.
Participants at the three-day conference which features technical sessions, exhibitions, and panel discussions are expected to develop actionable strategies to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward universal access to clean water and sanitation, ensuring a water-secure future for all citizens.
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