By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In its bid to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 and to keep on with the present administration’s development policy, the Federal Government has launched the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and also unveiled the National Water Resources and National Irrigation Policies.
The Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo who launched the programme also did the unveiling of the two National policies of the ministry on Monday November 7, 2016 in Abuja.
Professor Osinbajo said that the programme and the policies would address the challenges being faced in the water supply and sanitation sub-sector, adding that it was a good foundation towards achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals of ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
He called on all stakeholders, especially states and local governments to key into the PEWASH initiative and commit to its success so that the common developmental goals can be achieved.
He said, “It is now my pleasure and singular honour to launch the partnership for expanded water supply, sanitation and hygiene, for smooth implementation to the glory of God and benefit of our people and to also unveil the national water resources policy and national irrigation policy that are very important and strategic for the development of the water sector.”
Earlier, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, said that with the launch of the PEWASH programme, it is expected that there would be a purposeful synergy of all activities aimed at achieving access to potable water and increase in irrigation for all Nigerians, stressing that the primary goal of the programme is to contribute to improvement in public health and eradication of poverty in Nigeria through the achievement of SDG targets.
He also said that PEWASH is a multi-sector collaborative platform that brings together government agencies and international institutions to improve access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene in rural areas in Nigeria.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Rabi Jimeta, said that in the absence of adequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene practices, life will be devoid of the needed pleasure and dignity.
She stated that in its bid to meeting its core mandate of ensuring access to adequate water services to Nigerians, the Ministry came up with the PEWASH programme and also developed the National Water Resources Policies which were recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
