The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has disclosed that the Federal Government has reached more than 150 communities with basic amenities through its urban renewal and slum upgrading initiatives over the past two years.
Dangiwa made this known during a meeting with the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), which paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
According to the minister, the interventions include the provision of security, electricity, solar street lighting, drainage systems, roads, water supply, sanitation facilities, and micro-stores in urban areas where necessary.
He said the ministry is exploring partnership opportunities with NEWSAN to strengthen advocacy for water, sanitation, and hygiene across the country, noting that the organisation’s activities align with the ministry’s urban development goals.
Dangiwa explained that the ministry aims to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing Goal 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
He, however, acknowledged that budgetary constraints have limited the ministry’s ability to extend its interventions nationwide.
The minister further revealed that many lawmakers channel their constituency projects through the ministry, with over 60 per cent of such interventions focused on water and sanitation due to their direct impact on communities.
He added that the Ministry’s Special Projects Unit has been instrumental in executing these interventions, alongside other departments such as Urban and Regional Development and Engineering Services.
Dangiwa assured that the ministry would continue to collaborate with stakeholders, emphasizing plans to adopt data-driven approaches and document projects before and after execution to showcase impact.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said efforts are ongoing to address water and sanitation challenges despite funding limitations. He noted that the ministry is considering incorporating the construction of safe public toilets in markets and other public places.
Earlier, NEWSAN National Coordinator, Benson Attah, said the organisation works with over 300 civil society and community-based organisations to promote access to safe water and sanitation across Nigeria.
While commending the ministry’s efforts in housing provision, Attah called for increased action in water, sanitation, and hygiene.
He recalled the 2018 declaration of a national emergency on water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as the introduction of policies aimed at ending open defecation.
Attah noted that only Jigawa and Katsina states have achieved open defecation-free status nationwide, urging the ministry to work with state governments to accelerate progress.
He also advocated the inclusion of water, sanitation, and hygiene provisions in government contracts to ensure sustainable development outcomes.