The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has officially inaugurated the National Technical Working Group (NTWG) on Sustainability of Rural Water Supply Systems, a key initiative aimed at improving the long-term functionality and resilience of rural water infrastructure across the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Phellangwah, at the inaugural meeting held today at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, welcomed members of the Working Group and underscored the importance of the initiative in strengthening Nigeria’s water sector and advancing national development goals.
In his opening remarks, he highlighted that access to clean and safe water is both a basic human right and a critical driver of socio-economic growth. He emphasized that sustaining rural water facilities requires deliberate investments, effective maintenance, and strong collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector, and local communities.
“While the challenges of sustaining rural water supply facilities are complex, they are not insurmountable. With collaborative synergy among government institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and communities, universal access to clean and safe water can be achieved,” he stated.
Mr. Phellangwah commended development partners, particularly UNICEF, Self-Help Africa, and other key stakeholders for their continued support in strengthening rural water supply systems. He urged members of the Working Group to work as a unified team, share innovative ideas, and develop practical solutions to ensure the long-term sustainability of rural water facilities across Nigeria.
He added that the National Technical Working Group will serve as a multi-stakeholder platform to share experiences, guide policy implementation, and provide strategic recommendations to enhance rural water supply services nationwide.
The Permanent Secretary further called on all stakeholders, government agencies, development partners, NGOs, the private sector, and communities, to commit resources, expertise, and innovation to make this vision a reality.
The group was formally inaugurated, and members were congratulated and encouraged to carry out their assignment with dedication and professionalism.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Group and Director of Water Supply in the Ministry, Mr. Babarinde Mukaila, explained that the newly inaugurated NTWG will harmonize approaches, strengthen partnerships, and promote timely responses to water supply sustainability challenges. He added that the Group is expected to improve service coverage, ensure safer water quality, strengthen institutional capacity, and secure the financial sustainability of rural water supply systems, thereby moving Nigeria closer to achieving its SDG targets.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Mrs. Elizabeth Ugo, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and representatives of UNICEF, World Bank, Mr. Kolawole Banwo of WaterAid, Mr. Attah Benson of NEWSAN, and Mr. Sheehan Komar, CEO of Tulsi Chanrai Foundation. They all emphasized that sustainable rural water supply can only be achieved through collective action, stronger policies, and active community participation.
Presenting the Terms of Reference, Mrs. Zuliat Mohammed, a Scientific Officer in the Water Supply Department of the Ministry, explained that the NTWG will promote collaboration by having the Chair lead activities and strategy, the Secretariat coordinate meetings and documentation, and Members actively contribute to planning, decision-making, and implementation of key operations and maintenance activities.
The committee is composed of key stakeholders led by the Chairman, Mr. Babarinde Mukaila, Director of Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation. Members include representatives from the Department of Water Quality Control and Sanitation, UNICEF, World Bank, National Water Resources Institute, Green Habitat Initiative, NEWSAN, WaterAid, Self-Help Africa, and the Tulsi Chanrai Foundation. Other partners include the FCDO, European Union, African Development Bank (AfDB), TASTE, and civil society organizations working within the WASH sector.
Signed
Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan
Director, Press and Public Relations
15/09/2025
