WASH: FG Revitalizes water Supply for Market Financing
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Sulieman H. Adamu FNSE yesterday, 3rd July, 2018 in Abuja declared open the 1st International Conference of Nigeria Water Supply Association (NWSA), with the theme: “Transforming Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Utilities into Financially viable Entities”.
In his opening address, the Minister said that the conference has been strategically planned to generate outcomes that would complement government efforts at improving service delivery in the WASH Sector.
The Minister maintained that one of the critical challenges being faced by many urban dwellers in our continent today is the availability of sustainable basic services, particularly Water Supply and Sanitation services. Therefore, the mission of this conference is to transform the utilities into financially viable entities that will revitalize urban water supply and sanitation services.
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He added that it is a well known fact that the pathway to be taken to accomplish utility transformation is rough as it cuts through difficult terrains of institutional reform, organizational strengthening, infrastructural development and injection of innovations and proactive response to climate change. It is in recognition of these, that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has been supporting Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform since 2004 and the recently approved National WASH Action Plan, including declaration of State of Emergency for the WASH Sector.
Engr. Adamu expressed optimism that the International Conference would bring out workable recommendations that will further strengthen the resolve which will fast track government efforts, identify specific roles for the community of practice, the private sectors and other relevant stakeholders so that collectively, the desire to provide sustainable water services to our growing population in Africa will be realized.
Earlier in his opening speech, the National President, Nigerian Water Supply Association, Dr. Eugene Pam noted that the Conference has been designed to address these key issues: The Urban Water and Sanitation Goal 2030, Transforming Waster Supply and Sanitation utilities and preparing Water Supply and Sanitation Utilities for Market Financing.
The highpoint of the conference includes: conferring on the Honorable Minister the Grand Water Patron of the Association by the Association and decorating competively selected states with “WaterMan” award. The states are Taraba, Enugu, Bauchi, Delta, Kaduna, Lagos and Cross-River . The Chairman of the National Water Supply Association informed that the award was to reward performing states and to encourage others to strive harder towards improved water supply and sanitation for their people.
Kenechukwu Offie
