FG, STATES BEGIN TALKS TO ADDRESS WATER, SANITATION CRISIS

The Federal Government has begun consultations with state governments and other stakeholders to develop a National Water Compact aimed at addressing Nigeria’s persistent water and sanitation challenges.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ consultation workshop in Abuja, where he said the initiative would provide a coordinated framework for improving water security across the country.

Utsev identified rapid population growth, urbanisation, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented institutions and financing constraints as major challenges affecting the sector.

He said the proposed compact would strengthen institutional coordination, improve financing, expand access to safe and climate-resilient water and sanitation services, support irrigation and enhance national water security.

The minister said the Federal Government had already developed a first draft of the compact through a technical working committee involving government agencies, state governments, development partners, academics, professional bodies, civil society organisations and private-sector representatives.

He stressed that state governments must be actively involved because they play a major role in delivering and managing water supply, sanitation and hygiene services.

Utsev disclosed that he had written to the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to secure the participation of the 36 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory in the process.

The nationwide consultation is expected to identify gaps in the draft document, determine state priorities and strengthen implementation arrangements before the final compact is produced.

The proposed framework is structured around three key areas: Water for People, Water for Food Security and Water for Planet.

The Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, also stressed the connection between water security and public health, noting that inadequate access to water and sanitation affects hygiene, infection prevention and healthcare delivery.

He called for stronger collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders, saying no single ministry or level of government could achieve universal access to safe water and sanitation alone.

The Federal Government said the consultation would help build a national consensus and create a stronger framework for coordinated investment and action in Nigeria’s water sector.