BY Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, on Saturday, commissioned a newly constructed solar powered water facility at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Orientation Camp in Kubwa, as part of activities marking the 2025 World Water Day.
The project, donated by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, is expected to provide thousands of corps members with reliable access to clean water, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to sustainable water management and sanitation.
A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan, said the commissioning ceremony was part of a series of activities celebrating World Water Day, which commenced on March 21 with a sensitisation walk from Eagle Square to NTA Headquarters in Abuja.
In his address at the ceremony, Professor Utsev emphasised the importance of sustainable water management and highlighted the relevance of this year’s theme, ‘Glacier Preservation.’
He revealed that although Nigeria does not have glaciers, the consequences of glacial melt—such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and disruptions in the water cycle—affect the country directly.
He expressed optimism that the water facility will not only enhance access to clean water at the NYSC camp in Kubwa, but also promote better sanitation and hygiene practices, in line with the objectives of the federal government’s ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ campaign.”’
He reiterated the longstanding commitment to marking World Water Day by providing critical water infrastructure to needy communities.
Recognising the challenges of water supply in large camps, Utsev said the project was part of a broader initiative to ensure that sustainable water management remains a national priority.
The minister called on all stakeholders—including government agencies, NYSC camp officials and the corps members—to take ownership of the facility and use it responsibly, emphasizing that sustainable water management is a shared responsibility.
Earlier, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier-General O. Nafiu, represented by the Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Jikamshi Abdullahi, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for the laudable initiative, noting that the facility will significantly improve living conditions at the camp.
He highlighted the importance of the project as a demonstration of effective collaboration between government agencies and its role in shaping the future leaders of Nigeria.
The director-general urged corps members and camp officials to ensure proper use and maintenance of the facility, reiterating the importance of access to clean water for health, productivity and sustainable development.
