To improve access to clean water and sanitation across the nation, the federal government has built 10,568 sanitary facilities.
Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources, revealed this information yesterday in Abuja at a ceremony honoring World Water Day (2024), which has as its theme “Water for Peace.”
According to Prof. Utsev, the ministry has built 6,761 water projects to provide water to over 32 million people living in urban, semi-urban, and rural regions.
According to him, 46% of people currently lack access to basic sanitary facilities, compared to 67% of people who have access to safe water.
The minister bemoaned the fact that 25 out of every 100 people get their water from open ponds and streams, which are frequently contaminated and present a serious risk to the public’s health.
Prof. Utsev urged for ongoing collaborations for greater success in the water sector and congratulated development partners including Fordmarx, LG Electronics, WaterAid, and UNESCO for their essential work.
Clifford Nnaji of Fordmarx Nigeria Limited pledged to build 37 solar-powered irrigation facilities and boreholes, one in each of the states and the Federal Capital Territory, and to generate 30 million employment over the course of the next year.
In addition, schools that excelled in a competition held to commemorate the day were given awards, and the Durumi 3 community in Abuja saw the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole to help with the water crisis faced by its residents.
UNESCO representative Abourahamanne Diallo expressed regret that over 90% of waste water in developing nations is used to run water without treatment while presenting the UN 2024 report titled “Water for Prosperity and Peace.” She also noted that 80% of rural residents lack access to safe water.
In order to lessen social unrest and strife in the nation, Diallo urged the government to close the gap between poverty and inequality among the populace.