Environment
WWD: Rivers Residents Harp On Clean Water Supply
“Water,water, everywhere, but no drop to drink”. That was a paraphrase from an 18th century poet, Samuel Toylor Coleridge in his 1798 lyrical ballad’ the Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
Similarly, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in its 2016 report noted that the high demand for water will exceed its supply by 40 percent by 2030.
According to the report, many governments across the world will spend 200 billion per year on upstream supply as demand outstrips cheaper forms of supply.
Also because of the importance of water to the survival of humanity, the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 adopted. Resolution A/rcs/193 $ declared March 22 every year as World Water Day.
The first World Water Day was observed in march 1993.
Recalled that the theme for this year’s celebration was; “Ground Water: Making the Invisible Visible” and Rivers State and the rest of Nigeria were not left out in the celebration.
It would be recalled that since the inception of this Administration, enormous efforts and resources have been put in place to not only mark the day as a way of creating awareness but also provide potable drinking water to the citizenry.
The Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Mega water project is on-going and a number of local governments have been provided water by the administration.
Commissioner for Water Resources and Rural Development, Dr. Tomunosisi Gogo Jaja in a broadcast to mark the day said Governor Nyesom Wike’s Administration is committed to giving Rivers people potable drinking water.
According to the Commissioner, “for us in Rivers State, the New Rivers Vision Government led by His Excellency Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is making considerate effort in making this resource visible to our people.
“My dear good people of Rivers State with what Governor Nyesom Wike is doing with the Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation supply project, fresh clean and safe water shall soon be delivered to our homes.
Gogo-Jaja said the project is at various stages of completion.
“We have started reticulation in different parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
He said some rural communities are also enjoying clean potable drinking water.
The commissioner also described ground water as a vital resource that provides almost half of all drinking water in the world about 40 percent required for agriculture and one third of water required for industry.
“Water is an essential building block of existence, it is prime necessity for life,” the commissioner said.
Also at event to mork the day, Professor Kingdom Abam of Rivers State University said government at all levels should commit enormous resources to the water sector.
He said, this is necessary to check rampant waterborne diseases.
On his part, Odiri Macson President Water producers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) said the association has keyed into the policy of the state government in ensuring that water delivered to the public is safe.
Meanwhile, some Rivers indigenes have reacted to this celebration.
A cross section of the people who spoke to The Tide decried the high rate of water borne diseases and attributed the to bad water.
Mr Precious A. Simeon told The Tide in Eneka in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area that proliferation of boreholes in the area is contributing to the high rate of water-borne diseases.
“The disease causes vomiting weakness and stooling . We need government attention here” he said.
Also speaking Mrs. Ifeoma John said government should regulate borehole drillers to ensure standardisation with a view to making it safe for people to drink.
In her word, “water borne diseases should be prevented with equitable access to quality drinking water and good hygienic practices by the people”.
Mics Omiete Ibama said waterborne diseases will be eradicated once the citizenry imbibe good hygienic practices .
Ibama, student of Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology said the issue concerning the eradication of open defecation should be token seriously.
For Master Harmony Prince, Government should expedite action on the Obio/Akpor Port Harcourt mega water project.
Prince also called for hygienic practices such as regular washing of hands after toilet and others to be imbibed by the citizenry.
Mrs Valentine Njo called on government to provide water to the people.
Although the ceremony has come and gone, the echoes still linger as citizens gathering access to quality water in some parts of the country presently is like a camel passing through the eye of needle.
Even satchet water is now out of the reach of the common man as a packet now sells at N20.00.
Even some rural communities are replete with stones of a cholera outbreak.
The clarion call is now louder than before.
By: John Bibor & Oribim Ibama
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued a seven-day flood advisory, warning of a medium flood risk in 17 states between July 21 and July 27.
The agency said the alert followed rising water levels at key river monitoring stations, increasing the likelihood of localised flooding along river channels and floodplains.
NIHSA Director-General, Umar Mohammed, disclosed this in National Flood Advisory (Alert No. NFA-2026-200) issued on Tuesday.
He said the affected states are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
According to Mohammed, river levels at Saminara on the Karam River, Waya Dam Site on the Waya River and Amber on the Amber River had exceeded watch and warning thresholds.
He said 16 gauging stations nationwide were recording elevated river stages, placing nearby communities at risk of localised flooding.
Mohammed urged state governments, local authorities and residents of flood-prone communities to take precautionary measures immediately.
NIHSA said Bauchi had the highest exposure, with 1,841 communities, 145 schools, 101 health facilities and eight markets identified as vulnerable.
The agency also identified vulnerable communities and public facilities in Edo, Imo, Kaduna, Plateau and Benue states.
Mohammed urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), local governments and community leaders to activate emergency response plans.
He recommended relocating residents, livestock and valuables from floodplains to safer locations
He also advised emergency agencies to pre-position food, medical supplies and water treatment materials in areas likely to be affected.
“The NIHSA boss called for community mobilisation through early warning volunteers and local communication channels to ensure timely dissemination of flood alerts.
He cautioned residents against walking, driving or riding through flooded roads, bridges and fast-flowing waterway.
A cleaner environment begins with collective responsibility. That commitment was evident across Umuahia on Saturday as thousands of residents turned out to participate in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, with officials describing the compliance level as one of the most encouraging in recent months.
The impressive turnout has renewed hope that Abia’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment is steadily becoming a culture rather than a routine exercise.
The July monthly environmental sanitation exercise in Umuahia recorded about 80% compliance.
The Abia State Ministry of Environment described the turnout as a strong indication that residents are embracing Governor Alex Otti’s vision for a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable environment, while calling for the establishment of Neighbourhood Environmental Watch groups to sustain the momentum.
The Abia State Government has commended residents of Umuahia for their impressive participation in the July monthly environmental sanitation exercise, describing the turnout as a strong indication that citizens are embracing the state’s campaign for a cleaner and healthier environment.
Speaking after monitoring the exercise across major parts of the Umuahia metropolis, the Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ikechukwu Oriuwa, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance and urged residents to sustain the momentum.
According to him, the success recorded during the exercise reflects growing public support for the environmental agenda of the Labour Party-led administration.
“I think, so far, so good. At this point, what we need to do is sustain the momentum. We should move forward with establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch so that residents can monitor compliance and ensure the initiative is sustained,” he said.
Mr. Oriuwa further applauded both residents and the organisers for the success of the exercise.
“Well, I must say I am very impressed. I appreciate the organisers for putting this programme together. It has been highly impressive, and I believe participants have learnt a great deal. From what I have observed so far, everything has been well organised, and I think they are doing an excellent job. I encourage them to keep up the good work because programmes like this are beneficial to everyone,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary stressed that environmental sanitation should become a daily culture rather than an activity observed only on designated sanitation days.
Drawing from an Igbo proverb, he explained why communities must collectively protect their environment.
“An Igbo proverb says that a goat owned by the public often goes hungry. That is why establishing a Neighbourhood Environmental Watch is important. It will encourage residents to take collective responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and ensuring that sanitation efforts are sustained.”
He also urged government agencies to strengthen enforcement by deploying environmental health officers to carry out routine inspections and ensure compliance with sanitation laws.
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