In a bid to improve water supply and irrigation ,Nigeria, is set to seek for a $1 billion loan from its development partners to improve water supply and irrigation in the country.
Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe disclosed this on Monday at the 3rd Workshop on Performance Assessment, Benchmarking and Governance Issues of Water Agencies in Nigeria, which is taking place in Abuja.
Funds will be sourced from the World Bank, African Development Bank, French Development Agency, European Union, USAID and Islamic Development Bank, the Minister who was represented by the Director, Special Duties, office of the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Daniel Dauda, noted.
The loan will be used to improve infrastructure in 12 states and two River Basin Development Authorities.
“The level of success being recorded in the implementation of the program has given us the confidence to plan and support the process of upscaling it to cover water supply and irrigation development in additional 12 states and two River Basin Development Authorities.
“When the on-going process mature, additional facilities of about one billion dollars ($1billion) will be further sourced from the partners,” the minister said.
She said the program will improve access to potable water supply by the citizens.
According to her, the program will also enhance the performances of the state water agencies for sustainable service delivery.
The government, she said, will monitor and evaluate the program closely to ensure service delivery and success.