The Federal Government through the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has organised a Senitisation Walk, aimed at raising awareness ahead of tomorrow’s World Water Day celebration.
The World Water Day is celebrated on March 22 every year, to raise awareness on the importance of water across the world.
According to reports, about 2.2 billion people all over the world lack access to safe water sources, therefore, the goal is to ensure that every single person in the world has access to safe and clean water by the year 2030.
Addressing journalists on Friday shortly after the sensitisation walk which started from the Eagle Square and terminated at the Headquarters of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, said the walk underscores the importance of water in the society, and the critical role of the ministry in pushing for safe and clean water in the country.
“This walk today underscores the importance of water in the society. Water is life. Today has been set aside by the United Nations to celebrate water all over the world. Actually, today is a sensitisation stage, tomorrow is the actual day where we will have a press conference and expect the world to know that as the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, we are sensitising people to celebrate water in our country,” he said.
Mr. Pheelangwah, noted that being the largest news outlet in Africa, NTA is the best place to carry out the sensitisation.
Earlier, the Director, Water Resources Planning and Technical Support Services at the Ministry, Engr. Adeyinka Adenopo, said the Ministry has done so much to alleviate the sufferings of the masses in respect of the provision of potable water.
Engr. Adenopo explained that although it is the responsibility of the state to provide potable water for its citizens, the Federal Government has initiated several interventions aimed at expanding access to water for the populace.
He informed that this year’s celebration would be marked with the commissioning of a water facility at the NYSC Camp in Kubwa.
“Tomorrow by the Grace of God, after the Press Conference, by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Prof. Joseph Utsev, we will be going ahead to NYSC Camp in Kubwa to commission a water facility that has been donated to the camp. This will be replicated across the nation,” he said.
Speaking on the Open Defecation Free (ODF) campaign of the Ministry, he said as the only free open defecation state in Nigeria, Jigawa state has thrown a very big challenge to the other states, disclosing that many are working hard to meet the requirements.
“So many Local Governments have come onboard since the inception of this administration and we are hoping to have more.
“2025 was initially earmarked as the year to end open defecation, but because of the work that is still outstanding, it has been extended to 2030. And I believe that we are making so much impact,” he added.
While underscoring the importance of water in the society, Engr. Adenopo, called on Nigerians to ensure that water is effectively managed as a gift of God to the country.
