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Nigeria needs N350bn annually to meet water, sanitation target – Water Resources Minister, Ochekpe

By on March 25, 2013
Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has said that the country needs about N350 billion annually to meet water and sanitation target, saying that the available statistics show that only 60 per cent of the population had access to safe drinking water while 32 per cent had access to sanitation facilities.

The minister made this known in Abuja at an event to mark the 2013 World Water Day during the weekend.

According to Ochekpe, this falls short of MDGs target of 75 per cent and 65 per cent for water and sanitation respectively.

She added that water and sanitation services were platforms for inter-sector collaboration and partnership among relevant institutions. The minister noted that sectors such as power, agriculture, environment, health and education needed water as an essential ingredient in the transformation agenda programme.

The minister also highlighted the fact that with the nation’s growing population, access to quality drinking water and sanitation had become a challenge. This challenge, she said, could not be tackled by the government alone, especially with the lean resources and competing needs, hence, the need for cooperation.

She further stressed the need to improve the sector’s performance and to expand the water infrastructure to meet all demands. “Nigeria is blessed with abundant water resources potential estimated at 267 billion cubic litres of surface water and 92 billion cubic litres of underground water,” Ochekpe said.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Michael Ojo, the Country Representative of WaterAid, an international NGO, said that his organisation would join the subscribers of `End Water Poverty’ and `Keep Your Promises Alliance’ to call on decision makers to stick to pledges they had made. “Making access to water and sanitation a priority and ensuring improved access beyond the 2015 MDGs deadline is a key priority for WaterAid as I’m sure it is for everyone here.”

According to him, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is launching a WaterAid report called ‘Everyone Everywhere’ at a UN event on water in The Hague, The Netherlands, as part of activities to commemorate the day. Ojo, therefore, urged all present to sign a petition banner for the ‘Keep Your Promises Campaign’ as part of their cooperation on this year’s World Water Day celebration. In her goodwill message, Ms Irina Bokova, the UNESCO Director-General advocated for a stronger water governance between and within states.

“Cooperation must be our key word; this is essential to preserve our ecosystem, to eradicate poverty and to advance social equity, including gender equality. Women are key actors, we must empower them fully with the rights to match their responsibilities.” Bokova said that ensuring equality in access to and control over water resources was important for the well-being of current and future generations. The theme for this year’s celebration is “International Year of Water Cooperation”.