Environment
Water Scarcity Hits Abakailiki
Residents of Abakaliki are
presently experiencing serious difficulties in accessing water either from the public water supply or private sources, correspondent who monitored the situation in various areas of the town, reports that some residents, especially youths carry as many as four ‘jerry-cans’ in wheel barrows in search for water.
Chike Ubah, a student, newsmen that he fetched water up to five times every morning from a borehole several kilometres from his residence to meet domestic needs.
“We have not got water from the public water source in our home and those in our street since November 2014.
“The only water borehole in our street has stopped functioning and those who have functional boreholes have increased the price.
“A 25 lire jerry can of water which formerly sold for N5 now sells for N10 and in some cases N15,” he said.
Justifying the increase in the cost of water, Mr Abel Agu, a bore-hole owner, said that the effects of the dry season and irregular power
supply from the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), caused the increment.
“It is generally difficult to pump water during the dry season and the severity of the condition this January in the state made the situation worse.
“The poor rate of power supply from the EEDC, makes me to spend much in purchasing diesel for my generator as the slight increment was out of benevolence because the supposed cost for one jerry can is N20,” he said.
Mrs Angela Ikeh, a housewife, lamented that in spite of the non-supply of water from the public source, the authorities still imposed high water levies on residents.
“We still pay heavily for unconsumed water as the well water in our residence has long dried.
“We urge the government to address the situation as provision of water is one of ways to gain the trust of the electorate, especially during this electioneering period,” he said.
Mr Osmond Igwe, General Manager of the State Water Corporation, said the scarcity was caused by mechanical breakdown at the Ezillo Water scheme, the main source of water supply in the state.
“The breakdown has lasted for two weeks as only one distribution pump is functioning.
“The problem might persist until both major pumps are functioning as the volume of water in the scheme’s tanks is not enough to distribute water to every one,” he said.
He noted that the Oferekpe Mega-Water Scheme would soon be functional as the control valve needed to regulate water surge had been imported from Israel and was awaiting clearance at the wharf.
“The valve will protect all systems in the water scheme as the government does not want the over N10 billion project to be moribund,” he said.
Dr Christian Onyema, a medical doctor, urged the authorities to quickly address the problem to prevent possible water-borne diseases.
“The people may resort to accessing water from unhygienic sources thereby exposing them to great health dangers,” he said.
Chief Ben Okah, the Commissioner for Public Utilities, noted that the Oferekpe Water Scheme would be operational by the end of January.
“The government wants to ensure that the protective device is installed at the water scheme,” he said, urging the citizens to be patient and support the government to meet all their water needs,” he said.
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
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