Stakeholders urge govt to proactively avert imminent water crises in Nigeria

Stakeholders have presented thirteen recommendations to avert imminent water crises in Nigeria and to ensure the preponderance of reforms and laws that will lead to optimal utilization of Nigeria’s massive water resources.

The stakeholders made the recommendations through a 13 point communique at the end of the 11th national water conference which took place in Yola from 29th – 31st October 2024.

The stakeholders have during the technical sessions and deliberations validated that the water sector is facing myriads of challenges which if not addressed will lead to imminent crises in the near future.

Such challenges and gaps include, perennial flooding, poor utilization of indigenous knowledge in managing water resources, inadequate community engagement and funding.

Others are; underutilization of stored water, inconsistent policies, poor watershed management, aging workforce, inadequate capacity building in the sector, non-adherence to budgetary allocation, poor maintenance, monitoring and evaluation, non passage of Water Resources Bill and inadequate stakeholders’ input in making water resources policies.

Reading the communique, signed by Prof. Emmanuel Adahnu, Director General of National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) and the Managing Director, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA), Eng. Caleb Tyowuah, the chairman of the central planning committee, Dr. Martins Eduvie noted that in view of the challenges identified and validated, far reaching recommendations were proffered.

According to Eduvie, the recommendations include, factoring water as a potential crises factor which should be included in the national security agenda, emplacing far reaching water sector reforms, giving private players the leverage to invest in infrastructural development and the adoption of bottom-up approach in the conceptualization of water policies.

The stakeholders also called on the government to intensify efforts to utilize existing stored water to enhance water supply, food security and hydro power generation, utilize innovative financing mechanisms including the green bond, invest in resilient water infrastructure that can withstand climate change impacts and allocate 15 to 20 percent of public funding as budgetary allocation to water sector.

The participants also called on government to develop comprehensive strategies involving communities and harnessing indigenous knowledge in water resources development and management, maintain, monitor and evaluate water resources infrastructure, come up with strategy for recruitment and retraining of water sector work force, intensify watershed management and pleaded with the executive and legislative arms of government to reconsider the passage of Water Resources Bill.

The stakeholders used the opportunity to thank Adamawa State government, Ministry of water resources and sanitation and UBRBDA and NWRI for organizing the event.

__________________

We do hope that the information we were able to provide you are helpful. Checkout out other unique articles on our blog for more detailed information and do well to share with your friends and family. Follow us on our Twitter and Facebook to stay updated with premium information.

Please leave any comments or questions in the area given below.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in Fact Check are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Fact Check. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Information is presented to the best of our knowledge and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability concerning the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Therefore, any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.