EU commits N35.2b to water, other projects in 14 states

THE European Union has committed N35.2 billion to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 14 states, the Head Section, Social Governance, Delegation of the European Union in Nigeria, Dr. Klaus Gautsch, said at the weekend.

 

According to him, the funds are to improve on WASH issues in the 14 states.

 

Dr. Gautsch, who was represented by Mrs. Kate Kanebi, gave the states as Ekiti, Jigawa, Kano, Edo, Adamawa, Plateau, Yobe, Cross River, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.

 

He spoke in Abuja at the launch of the Stockholm Junior Water Prize organised by the Pan African Vision for the Environment, in collaboration with the Sweden Embassy.

 

The EU official said the major focus of the EU is on supporting the water sector reform in the country through development of policy, legal, building institutions and strengthening of local capacities.

 

He said: “The EU has been playing a very active role as one of the biggest donors in the water sector since 2001 and continues to do so up till 2017 and beyond.

 

“We are supporting the sector in 14 states with about N35.2 billion.

 

“The states are inclusive of three northern states of Jigawa, Kano and Yobe. Three southern states of Anambra, Cross River, and Osun. Five Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Rivers with additional three states of Adamawa, Ekiti and Plateau.

 

“Our WASH programmes are typically not water supply projects with main emphasis on service delivery, but the major focus is on supporting the water sector reform through development of policy, legal and M and E frameworks, building institutions and strengthening of local capacities.

 

 “The reform processes are building on world best practices in water supply, sanitation, and hygiene and health education promotion.

 

“To fast track water service delivery, all projects also have a service delivery component, which requires a substantial contribution from the beneficiary states, local government areas and communities to improve long-term sustainability and local ownership.

 

“I will like to acknowledge this noble action taken by the Stockholm International Water Institute in partnership with the Pan African Vision for the Environment over this youth empowerment initiative that we believe will motivate the younger generation to begin to champion the course towards mitigating the looming water crisis occasioned by related climate change issues.”

 

The programme manager, PAVE, Temiloluwa Ogunniyi, said the winner of the SJWP will receive $15,000, a blue crystal prize sculpture, a diploma as well as a stay in Stockholm.