As we mark World Water Day today, March 22, 2025, under the theme “Glacier Preservation,” We call on the Nigerian Government to intensify efforts on water projects. While Nigeria lacks glaciers, the theme underscores the global importance of water conservation—a pressing issue for our nation.
From Benue to Zamfara, Bayelsa to Borno, Oyo to Kano and the country all over, the need for potable water remains a major concern, as millions of Nigerians still lack access to clean water, exacerbating health crises and hindering development. We urge increased investment in sustainable water infrastructure, from revamping the River Basin Development Authorities, to boreholes, to treatment plants, to ensure equitable access.
From our 2023/2024 project tracking report, a total of 20.36bn was allocated and 8.08 bn was disbursed to the water sector. However, only 33.6% worth 2.71bn of projects with disbursement were completed while the remaining 66.4% worth 5.37bn are either ongoing, abandoned or not done at all.
While this is revealing that the government must prioritize funding in this sector, the need for her to be more intentional about enforcing accountability, and expediting project delivery to address this fundamental challenge is much more important.
Climate change and population growth further strain our water resources, making proactive action is critical, Nigeria must draw inspiration from global efforts to preserve water sources and adapt them locally.
The height of the happiness exuded and the satisfaction expressed by communities where we have had successful advocacies in the delivery of their water projects is absolutely exhilarating and this is a just further affirming the veracity of the saying that “water is life”.
As we celebrate this year’s world water day, we demand transparency and efficiency in water initiatives—clean water is a right, not a privilege. Act now to secure Nigeria’s water future!
At TrackaNg, with one community at a time, we remain not only more resolute in empowering them by amplifying their voices as it relates to water and other community needs, until the deserved attention is gotten from their representatives and all other relevant stakeholders, but also together with these communities we will hold their leaders accountable to ensure that service delivery around water and other sectors is greatly enhanced.
Story by: Osiyemi Joshua
