The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu says that focusing on access to safe water can change workers’ lives and their livelihoods and transform societies and the nations’ economies.
The Honourable minister made this known on Monday 21st March, 2016 during a press briefing at NTA Headquarters, Abuja on the ministry’s preparedness for the celebration of 2016 World Water Day.
Speaking on the theme of the event, Water and Jobs, Engr. Suleiman said the theme of this year World Water Day is apt as it corresponds with the current challenges the nation is facing as regards job creation.
“We all know that Nigeria as a nation is trying to diversify its economy by focusing on other sectors to be able to create jobs for the teeming youths of the nation especially through water resources”.
Engr. Suleiman Adamu stated that almost half of the world’s workers or employees work in water related sectors and nearly all jobs largely depend on water, and those that ensure its safe delivery; yet the millions of people who work in the water sector are often not recognized or protected by basic labour rights.
He also addressed youths on the occasion of Youth Forum on Water and Sanitation Jobs in Nigeria, in commemoration of the 2016 World Water Day. During the occasion, the minister said that Nigerian youths are thinking along the change agenda of the present administration of President Muhammed Buhari.
He said that going by the theme of the World Water Day, the present government is determined to create jobs for the teeming youth population through innovative methods and programmes.
On the part of the ministry, he said that the ministry is working out a new nationwide water and sanitation programme that would be partly private sector driven. He added “we are working towards proper training of the youths o water and sanitation-based enterprises in a bid to ensuring that they participate in activities that actually provide openings for immediate employment”.
In his remarks, WaterAid Nigeria Country Representative, Dr. Micheal Ojo, said that WaterAid recognizes that access to water, sanitation and hygiene are basic human rights to which every individual is entitled to. These basic services form the first essential step in overcoming poverty and are fundamental to every aspect of human development.
Speaking further, he said that WaterAid’s mission is transforming lives by improving access to safe water; improve hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. He added that the World Water Day affords them the opportunity to highlight water’s role in the sustainable development agenda of the country.
M.E. Umoh ( Mrs.)
Director, Information & Public Relations
FMWR
