Govt To Connect 28 States To National Water Supply Channels “Soon”

The Nigerian government says plans are on to connect 28 states to national water supply channels to ensure there is water for all.
The dream of providing Nigerians portable water from one source or government controlled sources is still on.

This is the indication given by the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, at the public hearing on a bill that regarding access to portable water across the country.

According to the Minister, plans are on to connect 28 out of its 36 states to the national water supply channels.

Urban and rural cities are part of this connection plan.

But most residents of urban cities now provide themselves water and majority of them rely more on their borehole water than the one supplied by water boards.

Most citizens rely on sachet water as the major source of drinking water.

Mr Amaechi, represented by a Deputy Director at the National Waterways Authority, Danladi Ibrahim, said the ministry is set to partner with other ministries to make water available to the public.

At the hearing of the bill, the House of Representatives promised to repeal obsolete water-related laws and enact the National Water Resources Commission and National Hydrological Agency for the management of water resources.

The house also resolved to work with the Federal Ministries of Water Resources, Health and Transportation to provide adequate and affordable water to major towns, cities and rural communities.

“A Bill for an Act to Establish a Regulatory Framework for Water Resources Sector in Nigeria, Provides for Equitable and Sustainable Development, Management, Use and Conservation of Surface and Ground Water Resources and for Other Related Matters”.

He added that the role of water in “our day to day existence cannot be overemphasised”.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, who was also at the event said that a draft water resources bill was established by the ministry while the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole expressed his ministry’s readiness to partner with the legislature.

He believes that urgent multi-sectoral approach would solve water related problems in major cities and rural areas.