The House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources has engaged the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Joseph Utsev, in a detailed budget defence session for the Ministry’s proposed ₦98 billion 2026 budget.
The session also included a review of the Ministry’s 2025 performance.
Mr. Utsev appeared before the Committee with Directors and senior officials of the Ministry, providing comprehensive updates on programme implementation, infrastructure development, and policy priorities.
Committee members actively exercised their oversight and appropriation responsibilities during the engagement.
Defending the 2026 budget proposal, the Minister stated that the allocation is primarily aimed at completing ongoing dam and irrigation projects nationwide, boosting agriculture, and strengthening food security.
He added that flood and drought mitigation measures remain central to the Ministry’s agenda, particularly given increasing climate variability.
The Minister emphasised the continued implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programmes, including intensified efforts to eliminate open defecation nationwide.
He revealed that 17 states are currently benefiting from the expansion of the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) and the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programmes.
Among key achievements, Mr. Utsev highlighted the completion of the Kashambila Dam, which includes a 40MW hydropower plant and an airstrip developed through a Public-Private Partnership.
He also reported progress on major dam projects across the country and the delivery of 2,000 hectares of irrigable land to farmers.
The Minister disclosed the completion of two national water quality reference laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia, aimed at enhancing water safety monitoring and compliance. Additionally, he announced the construction of 5,238 public sanitation facilities nationwide, although Committee members requested detailed location data for verification and oversight purposes.
Other initiatives highlighted include the expansion of climate-smart, renewable energy-powered micro irrigation schemes, the establishment of Water Users Associations nationwide, and the World Bank-supported SPIN initiative, which currently covers 26 states as part of broader sector reforms.
While acknowledging these milestones, Committee members expressed concerns about the level of implementation of the 2025 budget, particularly capital projects. In response, the Minister assured lawmakers that all outstanding projects would be awarded within the coming week and pledged improved execution going forward.
The Committee resolved to conduct nationwide visits to ongoing dam and irrigation projects to independently verify progress and ensure value for money. Members stressed that effective water resources management is critical to national development, agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and public health improvement.
The session was presided over by the Deputy Chairman, Mr. Mukhtar Chawai, as the substantive Chairman, Mr. Sada Soli, took his seat as an ordinary member during the meeting.