Water resources ministry, stakeholders converge in Abuja on WASH sector financing advocacy

By YANGE IKYAA

Thefederal ministry of water resources in collaboration with UNICEF and other development partners on Thursday organized a stakeholder workshop on the review and validation strategy of the WASH “Sector Financing Advocacy Strategy and Theory of Change.”

Welcoming participants to the epoch making event, the director, water quality control and sanitation, Mrs. Elizabeth Ugoh, stated that the review and validation strategy workshop on WASH also doubles as the public presentation of the final WASH Theory of Change to sector stakeholders at the workshop.

According to her, the development of the advocacy strategy was informed by the need to mobilize resources to bridge the financing gaps towards universal coverage and access to WASH services in the Country.

She noted that “it is a known fact that financing the WASH Sector has not been an attractive investment option over the years due to poor performance and inefficiency of the sector in delivering value for money and returns on investment especially for the private sector”.

Mrs Ugoh added that to make progress in the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.1 and 6.2 targets in Nigeria, the National Action Plan for Revitalization of the WASH Sector estimated a N30 trillion investment requirement for that purpose in the WASH Sector. She stressed that there is need to fast track the current rate of progress and triple the current rate of investment in the sector in order to meet up with the SDGs 2030 target date.

Speaking further she said “the WASH financing Advocacy Strategy provides guidance on the communications and resource mobilization efforts that will help catalyze domestic resources and investments for WASH in Nigeria. The strategy will chart a way forward for WASH financing amid competing national prorities and dwindling donor funding. This Strategy is to be owned and used by all Stakeholders within and outside the WASH sector as a ready tool for engagement and accountability towards universal WASH access in the Country”.

In her opening remarks, the UNICEF chief of WASH, Dr. Jane enjoined Stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the discussions in ensuring that the aim of the workshop is achieved.

An assistant director in the department of water quality control and sanitation, Yemisi Akpa, gave the overview of the workshop and presentation on meeting objectives and expected outcomes.

A representative of UNICEF made a presentation on WASH Sector Theory of Change for Nigeria, as well as Reflection on Document Application and way Forward. In her presentation, she lamented the low level of attention and Political Will at the Sub-national level of government towards WASH financing.

The representatives of federal ministry of works and housing and that that of environment, as well as office of the State Governments Forum, development partners and stakeholders attended the workshop.