World Bank Donates $350m to Improve Rural Water Supply

• World Bank Donates $350m to Improve Rural Water Supply

In a bid to improve water supply to the rural area and sustain sanitation project, the World Bank has donated $350 million to Nigeria.

Mr. Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources, disclosed this during a two-day workshop of the National Stakeholders’ Consultation on Nigeria Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in Abuja.

“It is my pleasure to inform this gathering that the World Bank has graciously considered our request and preparing a project in support of the PEWASH programme with an investment worth US$350 million to deliver sustainable and safe water and sanitation to millions of Nigerians and to support our efforts to end open defecation.

“We are hopeful that the World Bank will approve this loan maybe next year, so that the serious states not the lucky states will be the beneficiaries of this funds” Adamu stated.

Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud, the World Bank Country Director, commends Federal Government effort at improving water supply, saying the project was supported due to low access to clean water in rural areas.

He also said: “This project which serves to increase access to water and sanitation and hygiene services is part of our long term obligation in the rural WASH sector involving critical projects and leveraging other activities in the country portfolios, including activities in the education and health to promote sector reforms and digital on the human capital agenda.

“That is why this year at the request of government of Nigeria, our team has begun preparing the new $350m lending corporation in support of rural communities and small towns.”

The director, therefore, called on Federal, States, Local governments, NGOs, the private sector and all stakeholders to work together in order to improve clean water supply.