The Federal Government has called for a stronger collaboration and practical action from world leaders to achieve access to clean and sustainable water and improve sanitation services for citizens particularly in developing countries.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the call at the ongoing 2024 World Water Congress and Exhibition in Toronto, Canada.
He told the international community that Nigeria, home to over two hundred million people is blessed with abundant water resources in rivers,lakes and dams which is being used for consumption and large scale irrigation farming but that these resources have come under increasing pressure due to rapid population growth, urbanisation and climate change .
Professor Utsev noted that the challenges were not peculiar to Nigeria alone but other developing nations and have threatened food security, public health, economic stability and environmental sustainability and requires strong commitment from global community to accelerate efforts and adopt new strategies to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
According to the Minister,in recognition of the critical role of water in achieving sustainable development, economic growth and human well-being as well as universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation for Nigerian citizens,the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is implementing strategic priorities and initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Six and African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The initiatives according to the Minister include, National Water Resources Master Plan , National WASH Policy and Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene PEWASH programme.
Professor Utsev informed the global community that Nigeria is also strengthening its water institutions, promoting water efficiency and investing in water infrastructure and technology.
The Minister said, since the challenges cannot be addressed in isolation, there was a compelling need for world leaders, development partners and critical stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector to come together and support developing nations including Nigeria in a quest for water security through sharing of knowledge, technologies and resources in order to build a more water secure world for all.
” I want to emphasize that the future of water is the future of humanity.let us seize this moment to reaffirm our commitment to water security, innovation and collaborative spirit that has brought us together here in Toronto, Canada.”
“Together, we can turn the tide on challenges and ensure that every person in every corner of the world has access to the water they need to live , thrive and prosper ”
Earlier, President, International Water Association Tom Mollenkopt said the congress was a platform where complex problems can be unraveled and solutions explored emphasizing the need for the international community to work together to find the best solutions to the water needs of the people around the world.
