In order to improve access to potable water and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, has solicited for the support of development partners to repair 2,000 boreholes across the country this year.

Mrs. Ochekpe sought the support at a meeting with the development partners preparatory to the forth coming Presidential Summit on Water tagged 'Innovative Funding of the Water Sector' scheduled to hold in Abuja.

She said the ministry had already repaired 1,000 dysfunctional boreholes in 18 states in 2012 and is now seeking for support from the development partners to continue with the project.

She said 1000 repaired dysfunctional boreholes have contributed immensely to reversing the scourge of water scarcity and prevalence of water-borne diseases in the affected states.

She explained that the budgetary allocation for 2013 would not be sufficient to repair the 2000 boreholes so it was necessary to seek additional source of funding from development partners.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Amb. (Dr) Godknows Igali, said that the essence of the Presidential Summit on Water was to enable development partners and stakeholders to brainstorm and increase commitment to the water sector.

In her response, the World Bank Country Director, Marie Francoise-Marie, who pledged the bank's support and participation at the forth-coming summit, said the organization had been engaged in the water sector in the areas of capacity building and emphasized on the sustainability of water projects.