JICA, World Bank boost water supply in Nigeria

A list of JICA’s participation in the water sector in the last three years showed that the agency was involved in the provision of both technical assistance and grants to the federal and states government to enhance Nigerians’ access to potable water.Activities funded by the agency include the provision of rural water in five states, […]

A list of JICA’s participation in the water sector in the last three years showed that the agency was involved in the provision of both technical assistance and grants to the federal and states government to enhance Nigerians’ access to potable water.
Activities funded by the agency include the provision of rural water in five states, capacity development and the review and update of the National Water Resources Master Plan.
The agency has drilled over 98 boreholes in 8 local government areas of Bauchi State and 92 boreholes in 5 local government areas of Katsina State.
On the part of the World Bank, a Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist, Mr Alexander Danilenko, said Ekiti, Rivers, and Bauchi are among the states to benefit from the $350 million support.
He said that the funds would also be used to support nine other states with a view to expanding water supply to as many Nigerians as possible.
“The objective of the World Bank new project, which is about 350 million dollars, is to support three states with direct investment and nine states with technical assistance to expand water to as many people as possible.
“And to provide sustainable water sources and guarantee that water is affordable for everyone who gets it. So, it’s Ekiti, Rivers, and Bauchi, where investment will take place; it’s about 80 million dollars in each state and another 100 million dollars, which will be used for quick fix on emergency works in other nine states,” he said.
The water and sanitation specialist said the funds would be used for the construction and rehabilitation of water networks as well as the building of reservoirs and capacities to guarantee water supply to Nigerians.
Danilenko spoke of the need for Nigeria to give special attention to water issues in its development programme.
He, therefore, called for more investment in the water sector, saying that water was critical in providing resources to empower people.