Nigeria and African Union strengthen efforts for water and sanitation access across Africa
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
Nigeria and the African Union Commission are intensifying efforts to improve access to safe water and sanitation across Africa. This follows a high-level meeting in Abuja with the African Ministers’ Council on Water AMCOW. Joseph Utsev, Nigeria's Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, welcomed an AU delegation led by Harsen Nyambe, Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy at the African Union Commission, and Nelson Gomonda, Officer-in-Charge of the AMCOW Secretariat. The Minister emphasized the importance of the visit for continental collaboration on water governance and policy, highlighting that water security is crucial for Africa’s transformation, including food security, industrialization, and climate resilience. He noted the AU's 2026 Theme of the Year, "Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems," as a significant step in elevating the sector within Agenda 2063. Nigeria is prepared to lead in developing an actionable implementation plan for the Africa Water Vision 2063, which will translate commitments into practical programs. Nyambe commended Nigeria's leadership and its role as host of the AMCOW Secretariat since 2002, stating that the visit aims to deepen collaboration with key member states like Nigeria to implement the Africa Water Vision 2063 and ensure universal access. Despite increased policy attention, over 400 million people in Africa lack access to safe drinking water, and more than 700 million lack adequate sanitat
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The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to use the Ecological Fund to combat shoreline erosion endangering a significant indigenous petrochemical investment in Bayelsa State. This appeal followed a motion by Oforji Oboku, representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, who highlighted the threat to the Eraskorp Industrial Park in Gbarain, Yenagoa Local Government Area. The Eraskon Lubricants/Chemicals Blending Plant, a private-sector initiative, aims to reduce Nigeria's reliance on imported lubricants and chemical products, supporting industrialization and economic diversification. The facility, which includes a lubricant and chemical blending plant with a 128,000 liters per day production capacity, an aerosol manufacturing plant, and a carton production factory, had reached an advanced stage of construction before erosion caused severe damage. Oboku noted that the Integrated Manufacturing Complex building, 75 percent complete, had to be dismantled due to foundation destruction, and most process equipment is already on site. Abandoning the project would have significant economic consequences, including the loss of over 200 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs, and would hinder growth for small and medium-scale enterprises. The House mandated its Committee on Ecological Fund to oversee the implementation of the resolution and report back within six weeks.
Dennis Amachree, a former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, states in his memoir, "DSS @40: My Journey Behind the Shield," that the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, believed he was invincible. Amachree highlights that despite extensive security, Abacha's death underscores the transient nature of power. He questions why prominent figures allegedly propagated conflicting accounts of Abacha's death, viewing this as indicative of a broader issue of misinformation and lack of accountability in Nigeria, which he argues has hindered the country's progress. Amachree also recalls that before his death in June 1998, Abacha was reportedly planning to transition from a military ruler to a civilian president, having perfected plans for self-succession by forming political parties that adopted him as their presidential candidate, creating the impression of a democratic transition while serving his political ambition.
The United States has invested $1.2 million over the past five years in cultural heritage preservation across 21 Nigerian states, according to Keith Heffern, Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy. This investment, primarily through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, is described as a strategic initiative benefiting both nations. The project has digitally preserved over 250 Nok artefacts, upgraded a museum, trained 50 Nigerian youths in advanced digital skills, and reached more than 50,000 people nationwide. The system also incorporates Non-Fungible Token-based artefact tracking technology to combat illicit trafficking of cultural property and strengthen law enforcement cooperation. Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, noted that this initiative delivers a key component of a cultural preservation agreement signed between Nigeria and the United States. She highlighted the importance of digital preservation in making Nigeria’s history accessible and plans to extend this approach to other cultural heritage sites. Gen. Christopher Musa retd., Minister of Defence, emphasized that preserving cultural heritage is vital for national security, unity, and identity. The Wheyham Foundation, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, Yale University, and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commissioned the Wheyham Project, which has digitally catalogued over 250 Nok artefacts, refurbished the Nok Museum, and introduced immersi