71% of NIGERIANS HAVE NO ACCESS TO WATER — WATER RESOURCES MINISTER

The minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu has stated that access of Nigerians to pipe-borne water has dropped from 32 percent in 1990 to 7 percent in 2015, adding that about 71 percent of Nigerians have no access to quality water sanitation.

Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu

He also said that only 69 percent of the people have access to improved water supply in Nigeria.

Adamu said this at the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on Ota Water Supply Project and Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene,  PEWASH, in Arobieye in Ado-Odo Ota local government area of Ogun State.

He said: “Recent statistics show that only 69 percent of our population has access to improved water supply from all sources. For piped water, the situation has been on the dramatic decline from 32 percent know 1990 to 7 percent in 2015.

“The case of sanitation is even worse as only 29 percent of the population has access to improved sanitation. Our country did not meet MDG targets for water supply and sanitation that ended in 2015.

“It is against this backdrop that our country takes proactive steps towards implementing projects that will ensure that we meet the SDG-WASH targets.

Adamu said the federal government felt the need to revisit the Ota Regional Water Supply Project 30 years after it was established.

He also said the  PEWASH  programme is in three stages including the preparatory phase between 2016 and 2018, the expansion phase between 2019 and 2025 and consolidation stage between 2026 and 2030.

“We are executing a MoU for the continuation and completion of the Ota Regional Water Supply project. Execution of this project started in June 2006.

“The FG has so far expended N810.9 million on the project and when completed, it will have the capacity to deliver 15 million litres per day.”

“Ogun State is the first state where  PEWASH  agreement will be signed. Ogun and Kano states were shortlisted as flagship states based on first come first served amongst 22 states that have signed and submitted  PEWASH  protocols,” Adamu added.

Also speaking at the event Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State commended the Federal Government for deeming it fit to rehabilitate of the waterworks, double its capacity, strengthen and extend its distribution system.

Amosun said the project will improve the living standard and will attract investors to the state upon completion.