Towards safe water availability across the country, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in collaboration with Water Sector Partners, on Tuesday inaugurated the maiden edition of the National Water Quality Conference in Abuja.
The government noted that the inauguration underscored the vital role of safe water in public health, environmental sustainability, and national development.
Performing the ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, acknowledged the presence of esteemed stakeholders, including representatives from Federal and State Governments, academia, development partners, and civil society organizations.
He emphasized that the conference serves as a strategic platform to address water quality challenges and reinforce the nation’s commitment to ensuring access to potable water, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The Minister, according to a statement by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director, Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, highlighted the significance of the conference’s theme, “Safe Water for Sustainable Public Health,”
He harped on the impact of water quality on national and global development goals.
Citing the 2021 Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) National Outcomes Routine Monitoring Report, Prof Utsev revealed that while 67% of Nigerians have access to basic water supply services, there were still gaps in ensuring safely managed drinking water which necessitated urgent action.
He expressed concern over the effects of poor sanitation and open defecation, which according to him poses serious health risks, but expressed optimism that, despite the challenges, the Ministry was actively, leveraging modern technology to enhance water quality management, fostering partnerships with key stakeholders and implementing innovative solutions to improve access to safe water.
He further stated that, the Nigerian Roadmap for Water Quality Management has been developed to guide national efforts, alongside the Federal Government’s establishment of twelve (12) water quality laboratories across the country for monitoring and surveillance.
"Additionally, the Community Water Safety Plan has been introduced to empower rural communities in preventing water contamination."
The Honourable Minister expressed appreciation to development partners, including UNICEF, WaterAid, Society for Family Health, OPSWASH, Nestlé, and others, for their unwavering support in advancing Nigeria’s water quality agenda.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to mobilizing the entire nation to end open defecation, improve public health, and secure safe water access for all.
Declaring the conference open, the Honourable Minister expressed confidence that its outcome will significantly contribute to enhancing access to water and sanitation in Nigeria.
He urged participants to actively engage in discussions and contribute to shaping policies that will ensure safe and clean water for all Nigerians.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, represented by the Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh reiterated the importance of the conference in achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, particularly Target 6.1 – Universal access to safe drinking water, and Target 6.3 – Improving water quality by reducing pollution.
He emphasized the compelling need for robust policies, institutional frameworks, and innovative solutions to enhance water safety across the country.
He added that participants at the conference were engaging in discussions on four key sub-themes including , Water Quality Management Policy and Governance, Water Quality and Health, the Status of Water Quality in Nigeria as well as Water Quality Monitoring and Management
Goodwill messages were delivered by the representative of the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Muktah Chawai; the National Coordinator OPSWASH Dr. Nicholas Igwe; Representatives of UNICEF, WaterAid, UNESCO, and the Society for Family Health, Federal Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Environment, and other relevant agencies like Nestlé Nigeria; Honourable Commissioners of State Water Resources;Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies (RUWASSAs); Permanent Secretaries of State Ministries of Water Resources; theAcademia as well as other key water resources stakeholders