World Bank Approves $700m Credit For Nigeria

The World Bank has approved $700 million credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene Program (SURWASH).

The World Banks’ subsidiary, the International Development Association (IDA) will provide the $700 million to make accessible, basic drinking water service to six million people and improved sanitation services to 1.4 million people in the West African country.

The program, according to a statement made available, would offer improved water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to 2,000 schools and Health Care Facilities and assist 500 Communities to achieve open defecation free status.

The statement noted that these would be achieved as part of the Government of Nigeria’s National Action Plan (NAP) for the revitalisation of Nigeria’s water supply, sanitation, and hygiene sector.

“In 2019, approximately 60 million Nigerians were living without access to basic drinking water services, 80 million without access to improved sanitation facilities and 167 million without access to a basic handwashing facility.

“In rural areas, 39 percent of households lack access to at least basic water supply services, while only half have access to improved sanitation and almost a third (29 percent) practice open defecation – a fraction that has marginally changed since 1990.