FG: Huge Capital intensive Needed in water sector, Call for Urgent Intervention

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Minister of Water Resources Mr. Suleiman Adamu has said huge Capital intensive is needed in the water sectors, saying that the ministry lacks proper funding in carrying out its duties effectively.

He said many water projects would have been completed, but could not due to significant budget restrictions and various other financial challenges.

The minister made these remarks at the valedictory conference with journalists yesterday.

The minister argued further that a lot of those who were against the national water resources bill becoming law had not read it properly.

According to him, the passage of the bill would have great advantages on the Nigerian economy.

The minister did, however, express optimism that the Bill can still be considered by the 9th National Assembly.

He said, “I have no regrets. We did what we did in the best interest of the nation. People just politicized it. As far as I know, the story is not finished yet, it is left for the National Assembly to decide what to do with it. We have done all we needed to do as executives. But the good news is that 96% of the bill is already existing.

“Politicians who opposed it, you have seen where some of them have ended after the elections. The Bill does not have anything to do with President Muhammadu Buhari. They are hitting themselves, not Buhari. We were aggressive about it because we take our job seriously. In everything we do, we don’t take it lightly.

“It was not because we wanted to offend or short-change people. We are doing it because we have the responsibility to improve the water resources from where we met it.”

In her remarks to the media, the retiring Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Kenehukwu Offie, said effective leadership is not simply about holding a title or position of authority, but rather about using that position to serve and meet the needs of the people or organization being led.