The World Bank has approved a $500 million credit facility for Nigeria to expand rural water supply and sanitation under the SURWASH program, aimed at reducing waterborne diseases in underserved communities.
The initiative will reportedly fund solar-powered boreholes and rehabilitation of water treatment plants across 12 pilot states, alongside hygiene education to reduce open defecation.
Experts say improved access to clean water can lower child mortality and increase school attendance, while Nigeria is expected to provide counterpart funding to improve sustainability.
Echotitbits take: Solar-powered boreholes make sense given Nigeria’s power constraints. The recurring weak link is maintenance: too many projects fail months after commissioning because there’s no accountable O&M structure. Sustainability planning should be non-negotiable.
Source: NairaMetrics – https://nairametrics.com/2024/07/29/nigeria-engages-world-bank-for-500-million-loan-to-boost-dam-safety-water-resource-management/ 2026-01-27
Photo Credit: NairaMetrics