FG urges states to speed up disbursement of $700 million World Bank Water, Sanitation funds
By Kunle Sanni
The Federal Government has called on states and stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector to expedite the disbursement of the $700 million World Bank support funds under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme to improve water and sanitation services across Nigeria.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, made this appeal during the midterm review workshop of the SURWASH programme in Abuja.
Utsev expressed concerns over the slow pace of the programme’s implementation and urged states to fulfill their commitments promptly.
The $700 million SURWASH programme, launched on February 14, 2022, and set to run until June 30, 2027, aims to strengthen policies and institutions to improve water and sanitation services in both urban and rural areas. The initiative is being implemented in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.
He expressed optimism that the collaboration with the World Bank—particularly in the areas of technical expertise, financial support, and global experience—would facilitate the smooth implementation of the programme in Nigeria.
Professor Utsev also conveyed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the programme’s implementation and to the World Bank team for their sustained partnership.
He reminded participants that the review workshop serves as a platform to reflect on the progress made so far and to critically evaluate the challenges ahead, ensuring that the country remains on track to achieve the programme’s goals.
In his remarks, the Director of Water Supply, Mukaila Babarinde, stated that the programme aims to provide 6.1 million Nigerians in the participating states with clean and safe water, equip 500 communities with sanitation facilities, and improve sanitation services in schools.
A Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist with the World Bank, Awa Diagne, speaking on behalf of the Bank’s Country Director, reiterated that the goal is to empower countries in need of water and sanitation services and to ensure that no community in Nigeria is left behind in sustainable development.
