Environment
Authority Blames Shrinking Of River Niger On Climate Change
The management of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) has expressed worry over the continuous shrinkage of the River Niger, linking it to the impact of climate change.
The Executive Secretary, Dr Abderahim Hamid, said this at the opening of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Rivers Niger Basin Authority in Abuja.
He said promoting cooperation amongst member countries and contributing to improve the living conditions of the basin population through sustainable management of water resources is key to the development of the region.
Hamid pledged the determination of the authority to work within the confines of regional co-operation in managing and developing the resources of the river Niger basin.
He said the meeting was an avenue to seek out ways for the sustainable development of policies and programmes to address the issues of the basin.
The Coordinator, NBA National Focal Structure Nigeria, Dr Paul Adalikwu, while commending the contributions of the Federal Government to support trans-boundary activities, said this signifies the highest priority the county places on cooperation and coexistence.
According to him, the River Niger is of great importance not only to Nigeria but to other member countries that depend on the reality for their livelihood.
Adalikwu said it was saddening that for the first time since 1985, the river Niger completely dried up in Niamey, Niger Republic due to climate change.
“It is on record that for the first time since 1985, the River Niger dried up completely in Niamey, Niger Republic due to climate change.
“The river reduced from two million Square kilometers to about 1.5 square Kilometers.
He said the experts were expected to deliberate on issues affecting the authority and make appropriate recommendations to the council of ministers for their consideration.
The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, while welcoming the technical and financial partners, said he was optimistic that the leadership of the NBA would lead to the betterment of the people living around the basin.
Adamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Musa Ibrahim, said the meeting was an opportunity to dialogue with one another towards finding solutions to the problems preventing the full implementation of all policies of the authority.
Adamu said it was saddening to note that the Niger basin area which is rich in its diversity, facing many challenges.
He said there is the need for member countries to promote the development of the region by showing commitment through payment of their contributions.
“In fact, we cannot talk about the development of the River Niger Basin Authority and her regional institution unless we make available the financial resources needed in a timely manner for the work required.
“The repeated delays in the payment of member countries’ contributions have been identified as one of the major constraints in the operation of our institution.”
The minister said the technical and financial partners ought to be encouraged to make adequate funding available, adding that the wellbeing of the people depended on it.
The NBA has nine member countries comprising of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.
The overall population of the basin is approximately 130 million inhabitants, of which 70 per cent are in rural areas, with life expectancy of 50 years.
Due to its ecological and socio-economic importance, the River Niger Basin is an essential asset for the development of the sub-region.
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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