The Borno State Government in partnership with WaterAid; have strategized for a new water policy for the state. The implementation of water policy could strengthen institutions to protect and sustain water treatment plants and facilities. During the 12-year Boko Haram insurgency most of the water facilities and treatment plants were destroyed. While declaring a Stakeholders’ dialogue to meet UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Maiduguri, the Commissioner of Water Resources, Tijjani Goni disclosed that it’s inevitable to review and increase the water tariffs to ensure regular supply and distribution of potable water.
He said that besides the 25-year development plan, the state government has collaborated with development partners to increase access to sustainable Water supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities to improve people’s living conditions. Goni, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Mairo Bunu Lawan disclosed that most of the water facilities in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere council were destroyed by Boko Haram.
She lamented that insecurity and extreme low water rate of N300 a month, are the challenges of meeting SDGs-6 in the state. Besides, she added that the challenge of lack of power supply, forced the Ministry and the Rural Water Supply Agency (RUWASA) to power 200 boreholes and water treatment plants with diesel. She therefore suggested that stakeholders should appraise and strengthen partnership for the implementation of SDGs with the state’s development transformation plan.
According to her: “We’ve put in place lots of WASH facilities to support communities own and sustain water facilities in the state.” She added that there should be joint planning with a review of strategies to improve performance with development partners in the water sector. The WASH specialist in Borno, Dare Oduluyi said that water facilities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states are to be rehabilitated and upgraded to meet SDGs-6. On sustaining the goals, he said: “The CSOs are to sensitize stakeholders to maintain and sustain all water facilities in rural and urban centre of the state.”
