2022 WTS: Nigeria Must Triple Investment to Harness Economic Potential in Water Sector – FG

The federal government has said Nigeria must triple its current investment and foster a positive business environment in order to realize the economic potential of the sanitation value chain.

President Muhammadu Buhari stated this in his remarks yesterday at the 2022 World Toilet Summit, which was held in Abuja, the event was themed, “Sanitation, Innovation for Economic Development.”

Buhari who was represented by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo lamented that only a small portion of these potentials are being utilized, and Nigeria must find scalable, innovative methods for the realization of these economic potentials.

He said, ” Nigeria is committed to the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals Target 6.2. For sanitation, which we seek to achieve by 2030, access to adequate and equitable sanitation, and hygiene for all and to end open defecation, then special attention to the needs of women and girls, and those in vulnerable situations.

” Globally, an estimated two thirds of people who lack basic access to sanitation services live in rural areas with nearly half of them in Sub Saharan Africa. While 92% of the world’s population practicing open defecation live in these areas, it is estimated that it will require the quadrupling of the current rate of progress to meet up with our 2030 targets and for Nigeria we will need to triple current investments in the sector to meet our targets by 2030.

“While the demand for sanitation services is being generated through the social and behavioral changes communications approach of the campaign we also recognize the need to strengthen the supply side of the value chain and maximize sanitation.” The president said.

Earlier in his address the Minister of water resources, Sulieman Adamu said hosting the 2022 world toilet summit was highly significant for Nigeria in view of harnessing the diverse sanitation economic opportunities in the country and reinforcing national development initiatives in addressing challenges in the sector.

With the theme of this year’s Summit, ” Sanitation Innovations for economy development”, the minister said it has been designed to enable learning and sharing of best practices and interaction around the central theme and across different sanitation thematic players.

He said, ” As we join the global community in celebration the WTD on the 19th November 2022 and the third anniversary of Clean Nigerian use the toilet campaign the celebration has afforded us the opportunity to highlight milestones in Nigeria’s journey towards ending open defecation and secure additional commitment and support towards achieving this national aspiration.

” We will roundup tomorrow’s event to the recognition of persons and organizations that have contributed to the progress recorded under the National Campaign. He added.