By Funmi Olasupo

In response to the request of the African Water Facility (AWF) Governing Council to the development of water and sanitation in Africa, Federal Government has pledged to contribute the sum of $1 million (N200m) to the water facilities in Africa.

President Muhammadu Buhari who made the commitment yesterday at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the AWF in Abuja maintained that socio- economic importance of investment in the water sector is self- explanatory.

“It is noteworthy and especially to our development partners that African countries greatly value the work of the AWF. As it is our custom to take the lead in worthy causes, I am pleased to announce that the Nigerian government hereby pledges to contribute the sum of USD 1.0 million.”

The President stated that more than any other sector, water impacts on all the main themes of the development agenda such as food security, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, gender development, education, health and good governance.

According to him, the cascading effect of water development is crucial to the attainment of all other development goals contained in the almost expired Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the evolving Sustainable Development Goals.

“Statistics has shown that Africa is facing challenges in the development and management of its Water Resources potential to meet potable water supply, sanitation, irrigation, hydro-power and trans- boundary water management.

“In spite of all these challenges, I am happy to note that African governments, stakeholders and development partners have over the past decades embarked on several initiatives to address the many water security challenges through specific political, technical and institutional measures and investments.” He noted.

President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources Engr. Suleiman Adamu noted that the financial requirements for water security infrastructure are enormous.