Environment
‘Dams In Nigeria In Good Condition’
In spite of the intensity of
the rains, dams in Nigeria are still in good condition, a director in the Ministry of Water Resources has said.
The Director Dams and Irrigation, Dr Emmanuel Adanu, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
Adanu added that the dams were being strictly monitored to prevent flood and that none of the dams was stressed or experiencing excessive inflow.
According to him, the monitoring mechanisms specifically check the inflow, discharge and the rise of water in the dams.
He, however, said that based on the prediction of heavy rains by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), if the pattern of rainfall changed significantly, might be a recurrence of 2012 flooding.
“ We still keep monitoring our dams because excessive inflow can cause some problems, so we are monitoring the dams.
“The only dam giving us some problem we are handling now and it is not because of the falls now it is because of some erosion.
“But based on the prediction and the experience we are having from the rainfall, now we have not seen any dam that is highly distressed.
“This prediction came sometime ago and we have been very much aware of it and we are monitoring the rainfall; even, we have the flood outlook, what it might look like based on the prediction.
“So we are very careful and monitoring strictly the rainfall pattern, the rainfall intensity, the water rise in the dams, water flow and the discharges.
“If we have the same kind of rainfall we had last year, with the character, the altitude, and everything, it can still happen.
“But fortunately, we are monitoring that system — the Benue system — and at this time last year, the discharge we had actually was more than what we have now.
“So we are a bit safe to some extent but if the rainfall pattern changes and we have similar rainfall, we may still have some problem from there; so we are preparing ourselves.’’
On flooding, Adanu cited a recent report from Adamawa indicating that some areas at the confluence of River Gongola and River Benue were being flooded.
The director added that this flood was from within Nigeria and not from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
He blamed the situation on the heavy rainfall recorded in the Plateau recently.
“ I heard a report from Adamawa that certain areas at the confluence of River Gongola are being flooded; fortunately this is not from Lagdo in Cameroon, this is from within Nigeria.
“And our interpretation is that there has been a lot of heavy rainfall in the Plateau around Jos; a lot of rainfall and these rivers originate from there — River Kaduna, River Gongola and River Jamare — all originate from there; so they take water from this origin.
“Normally at the confluence when a tributary meets the main river at that confluence there is always a build up of water.
“Because the water coming from the tributary meets the water in the mainstream and it builds up immediately.
“Because the mainstream may not take the whole flow immediately at the same rate so there is always a build up backwards towards the tributaries and that’s what is happening.’’
He gave an assurance that the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Buffer Dam would be 100 per cent completed by 2014.
He explained that the installation of the hydropower component of the dam was the major delay at the moment.
He added that the dam would be closed during the dry season next year because it was safer at that season to close a dam.
“ We thought we could finish it this year but for the hydropower component we are installing; the dam itself is almost finished except for the hydro power.
“By next year surely but there are certain aspects that are 100 per cent complete some 70, 80 so effectively it is the hydro power component that is delaying us.
“As soon as we finish that, we close and because of the flooding we experienced last year, it won’t be technically advisable for us to close when the flood is very high.
“ Because you are subjecting a new structure to a high flood, normally you close when the discharge is small so that the structure gets used to the increasing pressure gradually.’’
The Lagos State Government has commenced installation of new pumps at the Iju Headworks and Akute water intake stations.
The Tide source reports that the project is aimed at increasing water production, improving operational efficiency and expanding access to potable water across the state.
A statement issued by the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) over the weekend said the project was approved and funded by the state government.
It said the installation was part of the rehabilitation of the Iju Headworks and Akute Intake Station under Lots 1, 2 and 3.
According to LWC, the rehabilitation is designed to modernise water production facilities, strengthen operations and improve public water supply.
The Network of Female Professionals in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria (FEMinWASH) and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) are set to partner on gender-responsive systems strengthening, capacity development and WASH initiatives.
The partnership was proposed during a courtesy visit by a FEMinWASH delegation, led by its President and Convener, Dr Boluwaji Onabolu, to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, in Abuja.
Onabolu, who conveyed greetings from FEMinWASH Patron, retired Engineer Ebele Okeke, commended Walson-Jack for upholding the Federal Civil Service’s EPIC values of Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible and Citizen-centred leadership.
She praised the HoCSF’s efforts in advancing gender inclusion in WASH and the civil service, including the development of the National Gender in Water Resources Mainstreaming Policy and mentoring programmes for women leaders.
Onabolu also highlighted the INSPIRE (Inclusive Network for Supporting Progressive Leadership, Innovation, Reform and Equity for Women) programme, aimed at strengthening women’s leadership and inclusion.
She said FEMinWASH was seeking a formal partnership and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the OHCSF to support INSPIRE, WASH advocacy, capacity building and the institutionalisation of Gender-Responsive Budgeting across the Federal Civil Service.
Responding, Walson-Jack commended the diverse expertise of the FEMinWASH delegation, noting that professionals in WASH, water resources, environment, public health, town planning and education were critical to addressing development challenges.
She welcomed the proposed partnership, assuring that the OHCSF was ready to collaborate with FEMinWASH on civil service strengthening and WASH-related initiatives.
The meeting agreed to further engagements with Dr Garba, Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), and Ms Funke Baruwa, Lead for Partnerships at the OHCSF, to advance the collaboration.
The visit ended with a photo session and exchange of gifts between both parties.
The Special Adviser on Environment, Mr Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, commended the community on the massive turn-out for sanitation.
He also appreciated the chairman and his team for their support to the ministry.
Rotimi-Akodu urged the community to continue to support the council and by extension, the government, by participating in the exercise and engaging in proper disposal of wastes.
“We have heard your appeal, and I assure you that Lagos government will do something about it.
“Although we have PSP operators in this axis, maybe they were assigned to other areas.
“However, I will ensure something is done and residents will observe the improvement.” the advisor said.
Also, the Managing Director, Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LASMA), Mr Muyiwa Gbadegesin, said that waste management was a collective exercise.
Gbadegbesin, therefore, appealed to the residents to always dispose of their wastes properly.
“You must bag your waste at home. Make sure you have a bin to keep the waste for few days, even if there is a delay by the PSP operator.
“Make sure you pay your PSP operator on time because there is no way they can provide that service if you are not paying them regularly.
The Non Governmental Organization (NGO) Go Green Nigeria Foundation, , has called for more stringent government efforts toward prohibition of illegal sand mining in Rivers, following erosion threats.
The founder of NGO Dr John Babington made the call on last Monday in Umuechem, Etche Local Government Area of Rivers, to commemorate the International Day for the Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems.
Babington, who sensitised the community on dangers associated with crude sand mining, donated some trees as part of efforts to promote tree planting and revitalisation of the altered mangrove ecosystem.
During an interactive session with the community, the environmental expert identified various concerns and commended residents for their willingness to work together to end the excavation.
He, however, dismissed the notion that illegal sand mining was due to poverty and unemployment, saying, ”the business is a capital intensive venture that could only be operated by a rich cartel.”
He said that though the business might have provided menial jobs for few youths, it had not in any manner addressed poverty.
Presently, the landscape is altered with an artificial river encroaching a major access road and threatening public safety,” he said.
Also speaking, a senior Chief in the community, Chief Gilbert Otamiri commended the NGO for the initiative and promised to collaborate with them.
Gilbert, however, urged the government to tackle unemployment which, he said, was a major promoter of the illegal excavation
Also speaking, The Community Development Chairman (CDC) Mr Agbam Mgbechi thanked the group for the sensitisation and donation of trees.
He called on the government and concerned induviduals to emulate the group by making efforts towards salvaging the area from further environmental damage.
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