FG urges states to hasten completion of urban water projects - Punch Newspapers
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev. Photo: The Nation
The Federal Government has urged participating states to hasten the completion of projects under the National Urban Water Sector Reform Project following its extension to 2028. The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, made the call on Monday at the opening of the 2nd Semester 2026 National Urban Water Sector Reform Project Coordination and Review Workshop in Jos, the Plateau State capital. Utsev, who was represented by the project’s National Coordinator, Mr Kasim Nafiu, commended the French Development Agency for extending the project from December 2026 to 2028. He said the extension would provide additional time for states to complete ongoing rehabilitation works and address implementation challenges. “The extension will enable participating states to complete their various ongoing rehabilitation projects under the programme. “It will also provide additional time for states to address implementation challenges and ensure the completion of projects aimed at improving urban water supply,” Utsev said.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google According to him, the two-day workshop, themed ‘Improving Water Supply and Sanitation Service Delivery,’ would provide an avenue for participating states to undertake an empirical review of project implementation. He said the workshop would enable states to deliberate on their experiences, identify challenges and proffer solutions to achieve the objectives of the project. The minister further urged participating states and other stakeholders to utilise the extended period effectively to ensure that the objectives of the programme were achieved. Declaring the workshop open, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang said his administration considers water security a fundamental pillar of modern governance and human development. Mutfwang, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs Josephine Piyo, noted his administration’s commitment to strengthening the institutions, infrastructure and systems required to expand access to potable water across the state. Terrorists attacking Plateau communities observing curfew, NBA alleges Gunmen kill miners in Plateau Five miners feared killed, two injured by gunmen in Plateau He disclosed that the state government had injected N2.6 billion as counterpart funding for the project. “This commitment demonstrates government’s determination to ensure that development interventions translate into tangible improvements in the lives of its citizens,” Mutfwang said. The governor said the state, through the Jos Water Services Corporation and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, was implementing interventions to improve water production, treatment and distribution. He listed the interventions to include the expansion of municipal reticulation networks, rehabilitation of the Yelwa Water Treatment Plant and reticulation of the Mangu Regional Water Scheme. “Similarly, we are carrying out rehabilitation and construction of water infrastructure in Bokkos, Langtang North, Langtang South and Wase. We are also rehabilitating two major water treatment facilities, the Yakubu Gowon Water Treatment Plant and the Laminga Water Treatment Plant, with support from AFD,” he said. Mutfwang urged participants to critically examine project performance, identify bottlenecks and develop practical strategies for accelerating project delivery. He also appealed to the AFD to further simplify administrative processes and expedite the issuance of ‘No Objection’ approvals for deserving project components. “Timely approvals are critical to enabling states to meet implementation deadlines, minimise avoidable delays and sustain the momentum of project delivery,” the governor said. Our correspondent reports that the AFD co-finances Nigeria’s National Urban Water Sector Reform Project alongside other development partners to improve urban drinking water quality, expand supply networks and strengthen the financial independence of state water utilities. The workshop brought together policymakers, water sector professionals, engineers, project managers, development partners and other stakeholders to review the implementation of the reform project. James Abraham
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!
Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.
