From Basil Obasi, Abuja
The Minister of Water Resources, Engrneer Suleiman Adamu has said that 25 per cent of abandoned projects in the water sector will be completed in 2017 as the President Buhari-led Federal Government has prioritised the completion of abandoned water projects across the country.
According to him, considering that the ministry has over 117 abandoned or ongoing projects across the country, over the next two years, the ministry would dwell less on execution of new projects so that it can complete old ones. Adamu, who disclosed this when 44 members of the House Committee on Water Resources paid him a visit in his office, stated that the ministry would lay less emphasis on new projects while critical attention would be devoted to completing abandoned water projects nationwide.
According to him there is need for adequate and timely release of budgetary allocations to the sector as this would contribute immensely towards the realisation of the policy drive of the administration.
He also called on the members of the committee to comply with guidelines of the Water Resources Master Plan in selecting constituency projects and ensure that stakeholders in the sector work collaboratively.
“To capture any new project, such project must be in the Water Resource Master Plan, support the energy efficiency of the nation and support the ministry flagship farmers’ empowerment scheme that would drive the agricultural policy of the country.
I humbly solicit your usual cooperation and understanding to assist the Ministry to enable it continue to carry out its mandate more efficiently and effectively in the interest of this great nation”, Adamu said.