By YANGE IKYAA
The honourable minister, federal ministry of water resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, has stated that to enable our nation to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 6.1 and 6.2, his ministry will continue to establish partnerships that bring together governments, international development agencies, civil society organisations and the private sector to mobilize all available resources.
The minister stated this in Abuja at the weekend during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaborative funding of Gombe Regional Water Supply Project with the governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.
Engr. Adamu said that in meeting the challenges of water supply, sanitation and hygiene across the country, the Federal Government adopted several strategies to improve service delivery in the sector, part of which is to foster improved partnerships and closer collaboration with states as enshrined in the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy (NWSSP).
This policy has been in place since 2000 and was later reinforced by the National Water Resources Policy that was approved by the federal executive council in 2016. Under the policy, the cost sharing for capital project investment in urban water supply is such that the Federal Government will contribute 30% of the project capital cost, while states and local governments will finance the balance of 70%.
In order to operationalize the policy’s provisions, the minister in 2017 initiated a budget line titled “Counterpart Fund for Urban Water Supply Improvement in line with National Water Supply Policy,” which was incorporated in the annual budget of the federal ministry of water resources.
Engr. Adamu expressed his pleasure that Gombe State was the first among the 36 states of the federation to tap into this budget line in accordance with the vision of the Federal Government. He also urged other state governments to emulate Gombe State in taking advantage of the federal government policy to develop water resources in their respective states for common good.
The governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, appreciated the Federal Government’s gesture in signing the MoU that is geared towards making life more meaningful for the citizens of his state by enhancing food security, public health and reducing poverty. He also promised to offer every support and cooperation that will see to the eventual completion of the Gombe Regional Water Supply Project.
Earlier in her welcome address, the permanent secretary, federal ministry of water resources, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, noted that the objective of the project is to provide adequate and sustainable portable water supply to Gombe township and environs.
Didi Walson-Jack expressed hope that the signing of the MoU and adherence to all its provisions will help to bring to fruition the objectives of the project.
