About 37.3 million Nigerians get potable water from 10,053 water supply schemes and projects developed in urban centres and rural areas by the Federal Government and its partners in various states.
Data obtained from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja on Thursday showed that 6,761 of the waters schemes, supplying potable water to 32,008,600 Nigerians, were solely developed by the Federal Government between 2016 and 2022.
It was also observed that a total 3,292 water supply projects, serving a population of 5,262,189 people, were jointly developed by the Federal Government in partnership with states, Local Governments, communities, donor agencies and development partners.
The joint projects were developed under the PEWASH programme between 2018 and 2021, according to a document obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on water development projects executed by the Federal Government through the FMWR.
In the section on water supply sub-sector, the report stated that “in providing access to potable water in Nigeria, 6,761 waters schemes were developed across urban, small town and rural areas of the country, producing 794,334,000 litres/day and serving 32,008,600 Nigerians.”
It added, “Out of the 36 inherited ongoing water supply projects, 30 have been completed, some closed or transferred to state governments.”
For the PEWASH programme, the report described the initiative as “a collaborative/partnership intervention model among key stakeholders, including the Federal Government, state governments, Local Governments, communities, donor agencies/development partners and the private sector towards achieving the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in Nigeria.”
The FMWR explained that the provision of potable water supply to all the inhabitants in Nigeria was a complementary shared constitutional responsibility of the three tiers of government.
The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources is responsible for policy advice and formulation, data collection, monitoring and reporting and making special intervention,” it stated in the document.
It added, “The state governments through their MDAs (ministries, departments and agencies) are directly responsible for water supply to urban, small towns and rural areas.
“The Local Government authorities are responsible for the provision of potable water to rural communities in their areas of jurisdiction.”
The report outlined the 30 major water supply projects completed by the FMWR between 2016-2022.
Some of the projects include the Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project, Otuoke, Bayelsa State; Northern Ishan Regional Water Supply Project, Edo State; and Ojirami Dam, Water Supply Scheme and Reticulation Network, Edo State.
Others include Sabke, Dutsi and Mashi Water Supply Project, Katsina State; Vom Water Supply Project, Plateau State; Takum Water Supply Project, Taraba State; Kazaure Water Supply Project, Jigawa State; Federal University of Agric, Makurdi Water Supply Scheme, Benue State, etc.
SOURCE: PUNCH
