THERE are strong indications that the Federal Government, in its bid to ensure adequate water supply, may revisit the issue of pricing.This is one of the highpoints of a three-day ministerial retreat organised for officials at the directorate cadre of the Ministry of Water Resources and its agencies.Details of the new pricing is still, however sketchy, but it was learnt that the new rate may be unveiled next year.The development was confirmed by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe,who stated that the Transformation Agenda lays emphasis on two critical areas of improved agricultural production through irrigation and improved generation of energy, especially renewable energy and job creation, that will lead to economic development and eventual realisation of the re-Vision 20:2020.Ochekpe said her expectations for 2012 and beyond include early completion of on-going projects and rehabilitation of existing ones, robust engagement and partnership with civil society and other tiers of government, international development partners and the private sector.The minister also stressed the need to review current policy framework and enforcement of relevant laws on integrated water management while the ministry's capacity to generate, store, manage and utilise data in the water sector will be strengthened.Ochekpe said more attention would be given to emerging area of climate change and appropriate pricing of water supply to consumers while the public will be educated on the need to manage water as an essential commodity in life.According to a statement issued at the end of the retreat, the stakeholders said to make Vision 20:2020 a reality, there is need to articulate the public-private partnership (PPP) provisions in the National Water Policy and develop strategies and guidelines for private sector participation in water resources development and management.Other recommendations include the need to embark on high-level advocacy on public-private participation and public-public partnership with the implementation of the sharing formula provided in the water supply and sanitation policy.The ministry is to set up an inter-agency committee to develop appropriate media strategies while its monitoring and evaluation activities will be strengthened in line with the requirements of Vision 20:2020 and the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.Data collection and management capacity mechanisms in the ministry and its parastatals, especially the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), will be strengthened and the RBDAs will be re-engineered and re-equipped to improve the livelihood of communities within their jurisdictions and contribute to national food security.Efforts will also be made to strengthen the relationship with civil society organisations with a view to improving its service delivery while adequate maintenance will be given to dam, irrigation, drainage and other water resources infrastructure.
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