Stakeholders want full implementation of 2017 water resources budget

Stakeholders in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) have urged the Federal Government to fully implement the 2017 budget, saying it
would impact on other sectors of the nation’s economy.

Some stakeholders told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday that
the problem was not the amount allocated but judicious implementation of the money voted to the sector.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday announced an allocation of N85 billion to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in the 2017 budget, which he presented to the National Assembly.

Wale Elekolusi, the WASH Media Coordinator, said peoples’ expectations were
always high whenever budgets were presented.

He said “when budgets are made, the expectation of the people is to see its
full implementation, whether it is in millions or trillions.

“It is not the matter of saying the President has made the presentation of budget, but the result or the manifestation of the budget is always the paramount issue.”

Elekolusi expressed dissatisfaction with water supply to people across the country, even when money had always been allocated to the sector in all budgets presentation.

“Unfortunately in our country today, we make comments on water every time we gather to discuss WASH issues, yet many people cannot access water.

“Go to different places where water is supposed to be supplied, people are still finding it difficult to have access to it.

“The water sector should be one of the prioritised sectors, considering its impacts in other sectors of the country’s economy.”

The WASH official, therefore, urged the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Water Resources, to channel the allocation for the sector to rehabilitating water projects in the country.

He added that rehabilitating structures such as reservoirs, dams, river basins all over the country would serve as sources of energy for other sectors, including industrialisation, health and agriculture.

“I want to assure you that if we have functional water resources in this country, it will boost energy supply to other relevant areas to develop the economy in our country.

“Water is very important to all sectors and its budgetary allocation and implementation should be on the priority list.”

Corroborating Elekolusi’s points, Mr Mr Uchenna Eziechi, the Project Manager, Olive Well Water Company Limited, decried inadequate water supply to the Nigerian
populace.

Eziechi, who is a geologist, advised government to make water available to the citizenry as it used to be in the past to ensure better living conditions.

According to him, it will curtail the involvement of quacks in the process of extraction of resources to access water and also prevent intrusion of waste materials into sources of water.

“It is inadequate sources of water in the country that makes people to get involved in sinking of boreholes to access water.

“If there is enough supply of water to the people, it will go a long way to preserve the nation’s underground and surface water sources.”

On his part, Mr Victor Ayah, an Abuja resident, appealed to government to have strong water policy to address challenges of accessing water at the grassroots.