Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev on Wednesday defended before the Senate, a ₦211.79 billion budget for the 2025 fiscal year detailing the level of implementation of the 2024 budget.
The Minister had appeared before the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation at the National Assembly, Abuja to make case for the proposals for the water and sanitation sector.
Addressing the lawmakers, Professor Utsev said that the Ministry’s commitment to advancing water and sanitation projects, boosting agriculture, creating jobs, and mitigating floods and droughts remain a top priority in line with the Renewed Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The Minister disclosed that the Ministry has so far utilized 24.19 percent of the available capital funds from the 2024 budget for ongoing initiatives, including dam construction, irrigation projects, and solar-powered water schemes.
Minister Utsev highlighted notable achievements in 2024, including the completion of several dams as well as irrigation projects
According to him, the Ministry also made significant progress in sanitation, declaring 34 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) open defecation-free, bringing the national total to 136 LGAs.
For the 2025 fiscal year, Professor Utsev said that the Ministry and its agencies have proposed a total budget of ₦211.79 billion with priority areas, including the completion of ongoing dam and irrigation projects, the expansion of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, and scaling up flood and drought mitigation.
Professor Utsev thanked the Senate Committee for its support, expressing confidence in the Ministry’s ability to deliver on its mandate with sustained legislative backing.
Acting Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Senator Kenneth Eze, while speaking during the budget debate along with other committee members, called for increased funding to enable the Ministry to complete its ongoing projects.
The Committee also emphasized the urgent need to prioritize dam and irrigation projects, which are crucial to addressing the country’s flooding and water management challenges.
