Mark Itsibor
As part of efforts to provide potable water in parts of Nigeria, the United States, U.S government in partnership with the Ministry of Water Resources and Public Utilities of the states of Rivers and Ebonyi, has promised to support two separate closeout workshops on urban water reform.
About 200 public-utility workers from both states and the US met on Thursday to discuss implementation challenges of water reform policies. The attendants also evaluated top practices and opportunities to improve water services to residents of both states.
A statement released from Public Affairs Section of US Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria on Thursday said the water reform law and the institutional framework in the two states align with international best practices meant to improve the financial viability, independence, and accountability of utility services.
“Access to clean water can save children from diseases and deaths, improve learning capacities and increase income producing options,” Matthew Burton, Director for Economic Growth and Environment at the U.S Agency for International Development, USAID stated. He added, “Investing in water can provide enormous returns in terms of the benefits throughout society.”
Although the current project is closing out, Burton said USAID is committed to working with state public utilities in the country to help identify sector-specific constraints and to systematically address identified issues to improve the overall performance of the water sector.
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