Minister launches national water supply and sanitation data survey

By Mohammed Usman

In a bid to enhance performance tracking system for water supply and sanitation sub-sector, the minister of water resource, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe, yesterday, launched the national water supply and sanitation data survey.

The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Musa Mukhtar, launched the flag-off workshop on the national water supply and sanitation data survey held in Abuja.

The minister said the objectives of the survey were to have an up to date information system on all public water supply and sanitation facilities. “It will also ascertain the percentage of our population that have access to improved sources of water supply and adequate sanitation nationwide”.

She added that the exercise was important as it would enable stock taking of achievements so far made under the MDG targets for water supply and sanitation. She said that the survey would also afford Nigeria the opportunity to lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) that would follow the MDGs.

Ochekpe who said that the importance of a robust database for water supply and sanitation cannot be over emphasized as it was a fundamental tool for planning and formulating policies and strategies for result-oriented interventions, called on all the state executive governors and chairmen of local government councils to provide the necessary supports that would make the survey a success in their area.

The minister, said President Goodluck Jonathan, who places emphasis on activities that improve the quality of life of Nigerians, has been giving the necessary supports to the water sector that are bringing about the level of achievements that the ministry is being recording in the sector.

She said that the survey that was flagged-off, was to build on the pool of data that were established from the baseline survey, adding “Our ministry in 2006/2007, carried out the first ever national baseline survey for water supply and sanitation. The survey which covered all the 36 states and FCT was used to identify locations and operational status of water supply and sanitation facilities and also determine national access to improved water supply and basic sanitation.”

In his remark, Nigeria’s World Bank representative, Eng. Kida, who stressed that they were much aware that some activities were done in the past, said that they were ready to give their support to water resources ministry in order to give people and government of Nigeria information needed for development.