Team urges African Union, UN to prioritise boreholes and community projects over policy debates

By Ifeoma Onyekachi

A Nigerian-led Pan-African delegation has shifted focus from policy rhetoric to practical action on water access, urging continental and global institutions to adopt grassroots solutions that directly impact communities across Africa.

Speaking at the 12th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development in Addis Ababa, the delegation called on both the African Union and the United Nations to move away from what it described as the politicisation of water issues.

The group, operating under the Pan-African AU Agenda 2063 Diplomatic Mission, is led by Stephen Ben-Joel. Its intervention at the forum centred on linking water access to economic growth, job creation, and public health outcomes.

Dr. Ben-Joel emphasised the fundamental importance of water, noting that the human body is composed largely of it, and argued that access to clean water should be treated as a humanitarian necessity rather than a political tool.

Beyond advocacy, the delegation highlighted ongoing efforts to implement water projects across the continent, including borehole drilling and water treatment initiatives. It disclosed plans to roll out additional projects during upcoming Africa Day events in Abuja.

The group also urged the African Union to adopt a more inclusive approach in its partnerships, encouraging collaboration with organisations demonstrating measurable impact at the community level rather than those focused primarily on securing funding through proposals.

According to the delegation, its participation in the forum underscores a broader commitment to Africa’s transformation through science-driven, people-centred development strategies.