Borno state government has promised robust collaboration with development partners to improve the water, sanitation and hygiene WASH sector.
Commissioner Ministry for Water Resources, Alhaji Tijani Goni made the pledge during a one-day multistakeholder dialogue on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals in Borno state.
The dialogue session was organised by WaterAid Nigeria with the support of United States Agency for International Development USAID.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary Hajiya Mairo Bunu, the Commissioner said the state has provided WASH facilities in all the local government areas to improve standard of living, calling for more support to achieve access to safe and affordable water by 2030.
According to him, Borno State had developed a 25-year Development Plan and 10-year Strategic Initiative to drive the process of realising the sustainable development goals.
The Commissioner explained the state government is considering increase in water tariff from the current three hundred naira noting that the water policy is being developed.
The Chief of Party Small-Town Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme Mr Jurgen Godep said the programme is targeting to provide water,sanitation and hygiene to 140,000 inhabitants of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states in the next five years.
Head of WASH WaterAid Nigeria Mr Adebayo Alao said 46 million Nigerians lack safe water while 47 million practice open defecation.
He called for the strengthening of the three water,sanitation and hygiene components which include institution and governance, sanitation and hygiene as well as water supply.
Dauda Iliya