The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to donate the sum of one million US dollars to the African Water Facility (AWF) in its effort to address water and sanitation challenges in Africa. President Muhammadu Buhari made the pledge on Friday 27th of November 2015, while speaking at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the African Water Facility in Abuja.
President Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu said that Nigeria being the giant of Africa would take lead and donate the sum of one million US Dollars to the project. He described the African Water Facility (AWF) as an initiative of the African Minister’s Council on Water (AMCOW) aimed at mobilising resources for the water and sanitation sector, in order to meet up with the MDGs / SDGs water and sanitation related goals as well as the African Vision 2025. He further explained that the fund is being managed by the African Development Bank (ADB).
“As is our custom to take the lead in worthy causes, I am pleased to announce that the Nigerian government hereby pledges to contribute the sum of $1.0 million. I urge all stakeholders from within the public and private sector development partners and NGOs to play their role efficiently. I also enjoin African Governments to accord increased priority to the water sector in their budgetary allocations. We must deploy our collective efforts to develop and encourage innovative ways of financing water sector investment to meet the enormous investment needs in the sector,” he said.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice President of the African Development Bank, Ali Abou-Sabaa commended the efforts of the Nigerian Government towards taking the lead in the donation process, saying the African Development Bank (ADB) has committed substantial resources to the Africa Water Facility for the development of water infrastructure in Africa.
The Executive Secretary of the African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW), Bai Mass Taal described Nigeria as the father of African Water Facility, adding that the idea of AMCOW which gave birth to African Water Facility was initiated in Nigeria.
ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Water Resources Report)
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