The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has called on the state government to prioritise the provision of water in the 13 local government areas (LGAs).

The House said the call became imperative because of the importance of water to human life and societal development.

The chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources and Rural Development,  John Ovey, made the call at the committee sitting in Lafia on Wednesday.

Mr Ovey spoke when the Ministry of Water Resources and Nasarawa Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (NARUWASSA) appeared before the committee for the 2024 budget performance presentation for the first quarter.

The committee chairman charged the ministry and NARUWASSA to ensure an equitable water supply to all the LGAs.

“The reason for inviting you is not to witchhunt you but to assess your 2024 budget performance for the first quarter.

“We will support and work together with you to enable you to succeed and ensure that water is provided to all the local government areas of the state.

“As he who provides water provides life, human being cannot sustain their lives without water,” the lawmaker said.

He also assured the public that the House was ready to collaborate with the state government on the state’s overall development.

Earlier, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Enga Ezekiel, and general manager of NARUWASA, Rowland Ayuba, thanked the committee for its support to them.

They also thanked Governor Abdullahi Sule for developing the state’s water sector.

They gave their commitment to ensuring adequate water supply in the state.

However, Mr Ezekiel identified the non-release of funds and lack of adequate logistics as some of the challenges facing the ministry.

(NAN)