Minister wants accelerated disbursement of $700m fund to scale-up SURWASH Programme
THE Federal government has called on state governments to accelerate disbursement of the $700 million to up-scale implementation and impact of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene, SURWASH.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, yesterday said this in Abuja during the Midterm Review Workshop for the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene, SURWASH, Programme, organized by his ministry in collaboration with the World Bank. The seven participating states are Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina and Plateau.00 / 1:00
He said that the meeting was crucial to ensure every Nigerian has access to clean water, improved sanitation, and better hygiene, and added that the support from partners of the program has been immense; therefore, the World Bank is not just about infrastructure but transforming lives, promoting health, and sustainable development across Nigeria.
According to him, “The $700 million SURWASH Programme is a bold and ambitious initiative with an implementation period of six years, effective from February 14, 2022, and a closing date of June 30, 2027. The Programme Department Objectives, PDO, are to strengthen sector policies and institutions for improved services as well as a reflection of our commitment to addressing the challenges of water and sanitation in both urban, small towns, and rural areas. Presently, the implementation is ongoing in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau.
“Dear esteemed stakeholders, it is with concern that I bring to your attention the current status of the programs financial disbursements. By the end of 2023, we had anticipated cumulative disbursements. By the end of 2023, we had a cumulative disbursement of $133 million out of the allocated $700 million,” he said.
Engr. Utsev further added, “However, as of December 2023, the total cumulative disbursement stood at $80.3 million. This shortfall calls for immediate reflection and action to ensure that we meet our commitments going forward. Thus, our collective efforts are crucial to accelerating disbursements and ensuring that the funds are utilized to achieve the intended impact of the program,” he added.
The Minister also commended the collaboration with the World Bank, describing its support as instrumental in improving water supply and sanitation across Nigeria and that there has been technical expertise, financial support, and global experience the Bank has brought to the table.
He noted that the commitment from the seven participating states remains crucial to achieving more under the program, especially with his engagement with the governors of the respective states.
In his remarks, Director Water Supply, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mukaila Babarinde, said the target of the program was to provide 6.1 million Nigerians from the participating states with clean and safe water, 500 communities with sanitation facilities, and improved sanitation services in schools.
A Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist with the World Bank, Awa Diagne, who spoke on behalf of the Country Director of the Bank, said the goal of the program is to empower countries with water needs and sanitation services, as well as to ensure that no community in Nigeria is left behind in sustainable development.
