The Federal Government is to partner UNESCO to address the persistent challenges of flooding, water supply, sanitation, and hygiene services in the country.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, stated this when UNESCO’s representative in Nigeria, Mr Abdourahammanne Diallo and other team members paid a courtesy visit to the minister in Abuja.
As the rains set in, the minister urged the United Nations agency to collaborate with Nigeria in the area of flood management, stressing that floods come with debilitating effects on both the people and the economy.
He added UNESCO’s support for Nigeria and Africa in general is fundamental in the areas of flood control, water supply, irrigation and hydrology and emphasized the urgent need for enhanced collaboration between the ministry and UNESCO to advance groundwater management.
He disclosed that the Clean Nigeria Campaign initiative of the Federal government, which aims to achieve the goal of making the country open defecation-free by 2025, is an ongoing national campaign.
He added that the ministry would collaborate with UNESCO to propagate the campaign, build more toilets, and increase sensitisation among the people.
Engr Utsev highlighted the strategic position of water conservation and called for increased collaboration between the ministry and the international agency in preparation for the commemoration of World Water Day on March 22.
The head of UNESCO, Abuja Office, Mr Diallo, emphasized the crucial role of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in the nation’s well-being and congratulated Nigeria on the progress recorded within the UNESCO intergovernmental programmes.
He assured continuous support from UNESCO to assist the ministry in achieving its mandate in alignment with the change agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
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