The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on universal access to clean water and sanitation, while enhancing the nation’s water, sanitation, hydropower, and food systems.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this declaration at the opening of the 8th International Water Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers, NIWE, in Makurdi, the Benue state capital.
A statement signed by the Ministry Director of Information and Public Relations, Funmi Imuetinyan, outlines major infrastructure initiatives to include the construction and concessioning of dams and irrigation schemes.
“Among them are the 460 MW Katsina-Ala Dam and the 186 MW Bawarku Dam on the Benue River, as well as the ongoing concessioning of Datsin Hausa Dam (Adamawa) and Itisi Dam (Kaduna). These projects aim to drive revenue generation, hydropower, food security, irrigation, water supply, sanitation, tourism, and job creation”
The statement also explains that under the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu great progress has been achieved in key programmes like the SURWASH (Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene), supported by the World Bank, PEWASH (Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene), focused on improving access in rural and urban areas; and the Clean Nigeria Campaign, aimed at eliminating open defecation by 2030.
According to the statement, Prof. Utsev expresses gratitude to President Tinubu for his continued support, and commends Nigerian engineers and water professionals for their innovation and commitment to achieving water and sanitation goals.
The statement urges participants to use the conference as a platform to share ideas, influence policy, and strengthen partnerships toward a water-secure Nigeria.
It adds that the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by his Chief of Staff, Moses Atagher, reaffirms the state government’s support for federal water initiatives, emphasizing that water is life and must be treated as a fundamental human right.
“Despite climate-related challenges, Nigeria can still achieve SDG 6 through innovation, strategic partnerships, and resilient planning” Gov Alia stresses.
Also, in his welcome address, National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers, NIWE, Joshua Titus Sanga, who stresses the need for innovative solutions to address growing urban water demands, pledged NIWE’s continued support for government initiatives, including SURWASH, the Clean Nigeria Campaign, and nationwide dam and irrigation projects.
According to the statement, the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Margaret Aina Oguntala, represented by Dr. Elizabeth Eterigho, while commending NIWE for hosting the conference emphasized the critical role of engineers in developing data-driven, innovative, and collaborative solutions in response to rapid urbanization, climate change, and population growth.
The three-day conference features technical sessions, exhibitions, and panel discussions aimed at sharing best practices, showcasing new technologies, and fostering partnerships across the water sector.
Participants are expected to develop concrete strategies to accelerate Nigeria’s progress toward universal access to clean water and sanitation.
The conference, theme is “Sustainable Urban Water Development and Management in Nigeria: Innovative Solutions Towards Achieving SDG 6,” brought together key stakeholders in the water sector.
PR/
