By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) and the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation have pledged to strengthen collaboration to ensure equitable distribution of water infrastructure and services across Nigeria.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, on Monday in Abuja, Acting Executive Chairman of FCC, Kayode Oladele, said the visit was anchored on the Commission’s mandate to promote fairness and inclusion in national development.

According to him, the FCC seeks greater collaboration with the water Ministry to ensure that water-related infrastructure and services reach every part of Nigeria fairly, especially underserved and vulnerable communities.

He stressed that access to potable water and sanitation services is a fundamental human right and a critical driver of public health, agricultural development and food security, poverty reduction, climate-change resilience, and sustainable economic growth.

The FCC chief outlined areas of focus for the partnership, including data-driven mapping of water infrastructure gaps; ensuring the equitable location of new federal water projects; prioritizing communities where women and children travel long distances for water; promoting equitable benefits for farmers through irrigation systems; establishing compliance frameworks for contractors and agencies; and transparency and stakeholder engagement at the community level.

He also announced the creation of an Integrated Federal Character Compliance Database (IFCCD), a digital system to support evidence-based monitoring of project distribution across the country.

Responding, Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, applauded the FCC’s visit and said the ministry has been making progress in dam construction, water supply schemes, sanitation services, and flood control.

According to him, “We have programs like the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria, which entails rehabilitating existing dams and incorporating hydropower components for irrigation and additional energy to the national grid.

“Another one is SUB-WASH, designed to supply water and sanitation facilities for rural and semi-urban communities, alongside PEA-WASH, all sponsored by the World Bank for the supply of water to our citizens.”

On sanitation, the minister said the Clean Nigeria Campaign is focused on making all 774 local government areas open defecation-free.

According to him, “We are also sensitizing Nigerians on the need to use toilet facilities through collaborations with the head of service, religious institutions, traditional institutions, and the media.”

He emphasized the ministry’s commitment to working in partnership with the FCC.