The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, has identified water as a critical factor in setting development goals beyond 2015.
Mrs Sarah Ochekpe,
Ochekpe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Dakar on the sideline of the 5thAfrica Water Week that developmental efforts should have potable water as a priority.
“ We have realised from in-depth analysis and review of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that water was not given pride of place.
“ That even though issues of sanitation were included in the target for the seventh goal they were not sufficient to meet our challenges in Africa.
“And we believe that drafting the goals for the post-MDGs, that water must be given pride of place.
“Because where you have less attention being paid to water it affects communities particularly women and children who are the main managers of water in homes.
“So if water is given a pride of place in the SDGs that this will also inspire government across the world, particularly in Africa to put in more resources in the development of water resources.’’
On Nigeria’s efforts at meeting the MDGs, Ochekpe stressed the imperative of greater commitment towards attaining these goals.
“ As regards MDGs we are working hard on that, and Nigeria has met some of the MDGs but we know that we still need to do a lot more in terms of reducing the number of those who are hungry.
“In terms of reducing the population that is exposed to poverty, we have done a lot in that regard.
“In terms of educational enrolment, we have improved considerably, even managing our environment we have worked very hard but we know that we have to do much more.
“ These goals that are being set by the world are not the ultimate but they are just the minimum that is required of each country.
“As part of the global community when the SDGs are also drawn up we will certainly put in our best to see that we even surpass the targets.
“It is a matter of commitment and there is the political will and commitment by this government to push things to a point where we all benefit.’’
NAN reports that the theme of the 5thAfrica Water Week is “Placing Water in the Heart of the post 2015 Development Agenda.
