By Priscilla Campnell
Niger State government has re-iterated its commitment to the 90 Day Action Plan to provide 32,000 people in addition to the current 18,000 with access to portable pipe-borne water.
The state Commissioner for Water Resources, Yusuf Suleiman, stated this during a visit by the Civil Society Organisation, Connected Development (CODE), to Minna.
He said that his Ministry was working hard to provide 10, 000 meters for household connections to water in the state.
Suleiman also lamented that 76% of non-revenue water produced was wasted through leakages and busted pipe which the Ministry was working to rectify.
He stated, “Nigeria records a sharp decrease in access to piped water in urban areas, as a result of rapid urbanization, lack of investment, poor prioritization of pipe water delivery and institutional constraints in the expansion of services.”
The commissioner further explained that as a result of the issue, “Nigeria is on a low point in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6 which advocates for clean and sustainable water for all. Undoubtedly, increasing access to WASH aids economic development, poverty reduction, education (particularly for girls), health outcomes and many more.”
He pledged to provide citizens with access to information on budget and action plan in line with the targets of the State WASH policy and sector roadmap.
Besides, the Chief Executive of CODE, Mr. Hamster Lawal, had urged the Niger State government to accelerate the implementation of the revised Niger State WASH sector policy, which will improve water, sanitation and hygiene services in the state.
Through CODE’s Project Manager, Ijeoma Oforka, Lawal said, “With support from USAID Effective Water, Sanitation and, Hygiene Services E-WASH, “The Improving Nigeria Urban WASH Service Delivery Project” facilitated by CODE seeks to support urban WASH reform in Niger state through multidimensional engagement and mobilization.”
CODE is collaborating with community-based organisations, Media Organisatons, the WASH Customer Forums and other WASH groups in Niger State to support civic advocacy, and strengthen policy, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for improved WASH services.