Nigeria Unveils National Water Compact to Tackle Crisis

Engr. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, unveiled the draft of the Nigeria National Water Compact at a nationwide stakeholders’ consultation workshop. He emphasized that water is crucial for sustainable development, impacting public health, food security, economic growth, environmental sustainability, energy production, and national security.

Despite progress, Nigeria faces challenges in sustainable water security due to rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change, environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, fragmented institutional arrangements, and financing constraints. The National Technical Working Committee (NTWC), which includes representatives from various sectors, has developed the first draft of the Compact after extensive consultations.

The Compact aims to transform Nigeria’s water future by strengthening governance, improving financing, and enhancing access to safe water and sanitation services. Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dalla, the Acting Permanent Secretary, stated that achieving these goals will require collaboration among all stakeholders, improved financing, and effective implementation mechanisms.