The Federal Government has reiterated its strong commitment to the effective implementation of the World Bank-supported Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, as it prepare to expand the initiative to ten additional states.
Speaking at the 4th Federal Steering Committee (FSC) Meeting of the SURWASH Programme in Abuja on Wednesday, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, emphasized the critical importance of timely coordination, adequate funding, and robust stakeholder engagement in achieving the programme’s objectives.
Prof. Utsev commended members of the Steering Committee for their steadfast support and reiterated that the Programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted key achievements, including improved access to water supply, upgraded sanitation facilities, and the successful installation of WASH infrastructure in schools and healthcare centres.
The Minister also provided an update on the Mid-Term Review (MTR) and ongoing restructuring of the programme. He noted that the first phase of the MTR, concluded in February 2025, resulted in better alignment of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) to improve results and financial flow to the states. The second phase, now underway, focuses on reallocating funds, adjusting rates, and onboarding ten new states raising the number of participating states from seven to seventeen.
To ensure continued progress, Prof. Utsev urged participating states to finalize their budgets and work plans without delay and prioritize the rollout of communication strategies to promote transparency and public engagement.
“Let us continue to collaborate and push forward the implementation of SURWASH. With effective coordination and commitment, we will achieve the Programme’s objectives and deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.
He also expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued technical and financial support, and to stakeholders across all levels of government for their dedication.
Also speaking at the meeting, Mr. Mukaila Segun Babarinde, Director of Water Supply at the Ministry, called on state commissioners to sensitize their peers and encourage broader participation in the programme.
The National Coordinator, Engr. Abdulhamid Gwaram, described SURWASH’s performance as strong in institutional strengthening and moderate in service delivery. He acknowledged the learning curve associated with the Programme-for-Results (PforR) model and commended states for their increasing commitment. He emphasized that higher performance would lead to greater support and expansion of services.
Attendees at the meeting included state commissioners, representatives of relevant ministries, World Bank officials, and other key stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector.
The initial seven participating states are Delta, Gombe, Imo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau.
