Substandard Equipment Reason For Poor Water Supply Nationwide – Utsev

Substandard water supply equipment is responsible for inadequate supply of potable drinking water across the country, and problems associated with irrigation farming.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsav, stated this while on a visit to a company that produces pipes and other fittings used in water supply, irrigation and consumption across the country in Kano.

The Minister who warned that the government will sanction companies producing substandard products used for water supply and irrigation stressed that government cannot condone those that are into the production of substandard equipment.

“We will sanction any company that will bring substandard products into the country,” he said.

During the visit, the minister expressed satisfaction with the standard of equipment produced, while asking them to sustain it and continue to promote local content in line with the Nigerian Content Policy.

“This is part of the mandate of the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu. We encourage water users to partner with them. We also call on those in the irrigation sector to partner with them as well. The duty of the Federal Government is to supply potable water to the people.

“We have to take these measures to secure the water supply schemes as many of the water schemes have failed due to substandard materials,” the minister noted.

Profesor Utsev who further maintained that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to encourage and provide enabling environment for local manufacturers and the private sector to thrive, called on well to do Nigerians to invest in the water and sanitation sector to enable the country achieve the SDGs six target of ensuring access to sustainable water and sanitation for all by the year two thousand and thirty.

While conducting the Minister round the factory, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr Shiv Daryani explained that the raw materials being used for the production of the pipes were being sourced locally in the country while the pipes manufactured were of high quality and can withstand any pressure and the test of time.

According to him, the pipes can be used for water reticulation and industrial projects, assuring the Minister that the company will never compromise the standard.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji