Nasarawa State Selected for Major AfDB Water and Sanitation Reform Project

In a significant boost to its water sector, Nasarawa State has been selected as one of six states in Nigeria to benefit from a comprehensive Water and Urban Sanitation Investment Master Plan, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.

The National Urban Water Sector Reform Project, which will run concurrently for six months across the selected states—Ogun, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Zamfara, and Nasarawa—aims to create a robust framework for water and sanitation development.

The initiative aligns with Governor Abdullahi A. Sule’s commitment to attracting foreign investment and strategic partnerships to improve the living conditions of the state's citizens, particularly in the area of water supply.

A lead consulting firm, Engineering Consultancy, led by Professor Mustapha Hassan Bichi, has held its inaugural meeting with the management of the Nasarawa State Water Board. The meeting focused on the project's modalities and assessing the entire water and urban sanitation value chain in the state.

The General Manager of the Nasarawa State Water Board, Dr. Kana Ahmad Abubakar, stated that the state government has been working tirelessly to secure support from international donors to address gaps in infrastructure and manpower development.

Dr. Abubakar expressed his sincere appreciation to the AfDB and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for selecting Nasarawa State. He highlighted that the project will help codify a master plan for the state's water board and urban sanitation.

He also noted that the state has enacted water laws, which Governor Sule has signed, providing an indispensable legal framework for securing financial support from international donors.

The General Manager outlined several key projects, including a planned new water scheme for Lafia. The board has proposed sites in Akurba, Adinre, and Azuba for the new scheme and plans to leverage the project to achieve its expansion goals, capitalizing on the area's abundant groundwater.

He further revealed that the governor has approved the construction of a booster substation in Garaku, Kokona Local Government Area, at a cost of over one billion naira. This substation will extend water supply to Keffi and the 177 Battalion Guard community.

The Consultant Team Lead, Professor Mustapha Hassan Bichi, confirmed that the AfDB has granted a "no objection" for Nasarawa State, authorizing his firm to develop and design the master plan.

Professor Bichi stated that his team would conduct site visits to the State Water Board's facilities and urban sanitation sites to gather firsthand information about the sector.

Following the meeting, the consultant team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Water Resources and Rural Development, Hon. Mohamed Muluku, and the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Dr. Margaret Itake Elayo, who was represented by the ministry's Permanent Secretary.

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