FG awards 113 water contracts, completes 40 in 2024
By Isaiah Eka
The Federal Government on Thursday said that it awarded 113 water contracts in 2024 and completed 40 of the projects.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made the remark in his keynote address at the 31st Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWR&S) in Uyo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the meeting is “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change”,
He said that the ministry, in line with Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, leveraged on revolutionising irrigation programme to boost food security in and alleviate poverty.
Utsev said that the ministry had continued to work towards the revitalisation and sustainability of the water supply sub-sector.
He said that it also provided strategic guidance for the effective delivery of water, sanitation and hygiene services across the nation.
The minister said that water supply was included in some significant progress made by the ministry in 2024.
Utsev said that ministry had perfected over 40 different projects across rural, small town and urban areas.
He stated that other achievements included the construction of 44 projects under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme;
He said that among the project completed were 45 projects under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme;
Others are implementation of 64 projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project.
Utsev said that a total of 113 contracts for water supply was awarded which were currently at various stages of construction.
He further said that plans were underway to construct additional dams across the country.
According to him, this is aimed at expanding water storage capacity to address flood and enhance food security through irrigation.
‘’Irrigation is a critical role in food security, economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction,’’ the minister said.
In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom said that the state government would work tirelessly to ensure that citizens enjoyed the initiatives and programmes outlined in the President’s agenda.
He said that tha ARISE Agenda of his administration was aligned with the Renewed Hope agenda of the President Bola Tinubu.
He urged the federal government to reactivate the abandoned dams in Nkari and Ibiono Ibom in Ini and Ibiono Ibom LGAs respectively.
According to him, these dams, when revitalised, would drive agricultural growth and economic prosperity in the state.
Eno said that government had implemented several initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate through Flood Mitigation Committee,
“We want to reiterate our administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges of water and food security in the face of climate change.
“We recognise that these challenges required a collective response.
“Together we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for all Nigerians,” he said.
The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Sada Soli said the National Assembly was ready to play its role as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He described the theme of the meeting as apt, considering the increasing awareness of the need for sustainable development of water resources for various purposes. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Bukola Adetoye/Jane-Frances Oraka
The minister also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to achieving ODF status in Nigeria.
Utsev called on the media, private sector, and local communities to join the effort to raise awareness and ensure behavioural change at all levels.