The annual World Water Day presents an opportunity to reflect on our progress, our challenges, and renew our efforts and commitments to ensure safe drinking water for all. This year we are celebrating World Water Day with the theme of "Nature for Water". This theme captures the truly intrinsic role of our natural environment in balancing the water cycle, and improving human health and overall socio-economic development.
The Maldives, as a land scarce, low lying coral island nation, does not have fresh surface water resources. Our natural resources are limited to shallow confined groundwater aquifers and rainwater. Our challenges of water scarcity are compounded by the limited financial and human capacity for water resources management. It is therefore imperative that we manage this valuable resource properly to avoid further depletion and degradation.
In the official statement issued to coincide with the World Water Day 2018, Minister of Environment and Energy Thoriq Ibrahim highlighted that over decades Maldives have made significant progress towards ensuring safe drinking water for all.
The achievements in the water sector since 2013, guided by the strategic leadership of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom are particularly noteworthy. In order to improve governance of the sector, national water and sewerage policy structured on nine policy goals has been adopted in 2017.
Noting that Water and Sewerage Act and subsequent regulations are also in the process of finalization, Environment Minister Thoriq said water and sanitation sector has seen unprecedented levels of development since President Yameen assumed office. Since then, the number of islands with piped water supply has increased from 6 islands to 21 islands, with work in a further 25 islands expected to be completed soon, noted the minister.
Furthermore, the minister revealed, the government aims to significantly minimise frequent water shortages faced by island communities, by the end of 2018. He highlighted that in order to achieve this target, community rainwater harvesting facilities have been completed in 29 islands and work in a further 61 islands are in progress.
For this, the Minister appreciated the efforts of general public, the international donor community, non-governmental and civil society organizations, the utilities companies and the private sector for their consistent support in developing the water and sanitation sector. The Minister also lauded the hardworking civil servants in developing the sector and implementing the government's vision for the sector.
Minister concluded by reiterating the government's commitment to ensure to all citizens, the access to adequate water and sanitation services.