FG To Strengthen Relations With Devt Partners On Water Mgt

The Federal Government is to strengthen relations with Africa’s development partners to ensure sustainable water management in transboundary basins.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, stated this at the opening of the 5th Session of the Partners Coordination Platform, PCP, in Abuja.

Professor Utsev who was represented by the Director 2 of the Water Quality Control and Sanitation Department in the Ministry, Dr. Dumebi Madu, added that to effectively address these issues which includes the impact of climate change, there was need for strong partnerships, enhanced coordination and collective efforts to improve water security in Africa.

He emphasized that progress in sanitation, hygiene and water security directly impacts other social and economic sectors, with failures in these areas impeding progress across all sustainable development goals.

The Minister noted that, given the critical role of water and sanitation in Africa and its implications for regional integration, peace, and security, there is a growing need to enhance coordination at all levels.

He stressed that water security is as crucial as food security and stressed that Africa is not making satisfactory progress in this area.

Speaking on the upcoming 2025 Africa Water Vision, Prof. Utsev who emphasized the importance of formulating a Post-2025 Africa Water Vision and Continental Water Policy expressed confidence that the outcomes of this meeting would significantly contribute to discussions during the 9th Africa Water Week in Cairo, Egypt.

Prof Utsev who described it as a significant milestone for Nigeria to host the AMCOW Secretariat since its inception in 2002 emphasized the critical role of water and sanitation in sustainable development, as well as in achieving the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs.

The Minister who expressed gratitude to the African Union Commission, AUC, and African Ministers’ Council on Water, AMCOW, for co-convening the forum in Abuja added that this event marks the first the PCP is holding outside the African Union Commission, AUC, Complex and has gathered a diverse array of stakeholders from
across the continent and beyond.

The attendees include, Directors for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the AUC, Harsen Nyambe Nyambe, Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the AUC; AMCOW Executive Secretary, Dr. Rashid Mbaziira, members of the AMCOW Technical Advisory Committee, TAC, and representatives of member states.

Others are members of the Partners Coordination Platform (PCP), delegates from the AUC, representatives of various development partners, including UN agencies, colleagues from the AMCOW Secretariat, and other key stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji