By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, Monday, presented the Ministry’s 2025 Budget Implementation Report and defended the 2026 Budget Proposal of ₦98,105,051,341 before the House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation at the National Assembly, Abuja.

According to the Director, Information and Public Relations, Funmi Imuetinyan, in his presentation, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu through targeted investments in water supply, sanitation, irrigation, dams, hydropower development, and flood and drought control initiatives.

He disclosed that the Ministry received a total allocation of ₦146.78 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, of which ₦142.22 billion was earmarked for capital expenditure. While noting that some capital warrants had been released, he explained that they were pending cash-backing.

He further assured the Committee that procurement processes for ongoing projects were at advanced stages to facilitate timely implementation.

The Minister also briefed the Committee on the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at strengthening dam safety and enhancing water resource management for hydropower and irrigation development across the country.

According to him, 26 states have expressed interest in participating in the project, with 23 states already onboarded after meeting the required selection criteria—demonstrating strong national commitment to expanding agricultural productivity and renewable energy generation.

Presenting the 2026 Budget Proposal, the Minister outlined key priority areas, including: Completion of ongoing dams and irrigation projects to bolster food security; Expansion of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions and intensified efforts to end Open Defecation; Implementation of comprehensive flood and drought mitigation strategies.

Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships in dam and hydropower development; and strengthened collaboration with international development partners to scale up sustainable water management initiatives.

Highlighting the Ministry’s major achievements in 2025, Prof. Utsev reported the completion of the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam, now contributing hydropower to the national grid.

He noted a combined 110MW hydropower generation from Kashimbilla, Gurara, and Dadin Kowa Dams, the delivery of 2,000 hectares of irrigable land to farmers at Dadin Kowa, and the construction and rehabilitation of over 6,700 water supply schemes nationwide.

He further announced the certification of 168 Local Government Areas as Open Defecation Free, alongside the expansion of SURWASH and PEWASH programmes across 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The Minister expressed appreciation to the Committee for its sustained support and emphasized that, with adequate funding, the Ministry will continue to implement transformative projects aimed at improving food security, expanding access to potable water, strengthening sanitation services, creating employment opportunities, and contributing significantly to national economic growth.

The House Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, chaired by Deputy Chairman Mukhtar Chawai, adopted the Ministry’s 2025 Budget Implementation Report with amendments as presented. The Committee also received the 2026 Budget Proposal as a working document for further legislative consideration.

In addition, the Committee resolved to establish a joint committee comprising members of the House, the Ministry, and key stakeholders in the water resources sector to assess the status of dams and irrigation projects nationwide.