Environment
Conference Calls For Water Supply Master Plans For States In Nigeria
Water Engineers in Nigeria have called for a water resource/water supply master plan for each of the 36 states of the country with a well defined action plan for implementation.
This was contained in a communique at the end of the 6th International Water Conference at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The conference was organised by the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), a branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
The communique also said there is an urgent need to enhance political will for adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in the country.
According to the communique, “the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation should organised a national forum chaired by the president or vice president to discuss WASH.and modalities for meeting the SDG 6″
It called for full autonomy to be granted to water supply agencies across the country by state governments in order to attract investors into the sector
“This will require adequate legislation that will remove unnecessary interference in its operation and management.
“There is need to develop a water resource/ water supply master plan for each of the 36 States of the federation with a well defined action plan for implementation. This will be the responsibility of the sub nationals and may be supported by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation ”.
The communique signed by Dr Adeyinka Sobowale and Engr. Temitope Esther Aboyeji, a copy emailed to The Tide Environment Desk in Port Harcourt further stressed the need for states in the country to establish water regulatory agencies to adequately regulate the activities of water providers in their respective states.
“Furthermore, ground water regulatory frameworks for the entire country should be developed, ”it said.
The conference also urged the government to mandate and finance research centres , Universities, and Polytechnics and the private sector to begin development and manufacture of equipment and machines for the water sector locally to reduce the heavy dependence on importation
“There is a need to adopt new and efficient technology control systems and innovations for revamping safely managed water supply systems.
“Professional Engineers are specially trained to design, construct, and manage all water infrastructures and systems, they should be given the pride of place to provide leadership in all water utilities across the country to promote effective service delivery,”it said.
The communique said the conference deliberated on various issues among which are: Water Sanitation and Hygiene( WASH) governance comprising the range of political, social, economic and administrative systems which includes policy, law and institutions that are in place to develop and manage water resources and the delivery of water services to different segments of the society.
Also deliberated upon are: challenges facing WASH in Nigeria including lack of or inadequate political will,weak policy and legal instruments, inappropriate institutional arrangements, lack of autonomy for water agencies, weak financial frame-work , inadequate and ageing infrastructures and lack of adequate manpower as well as fragmentation of approach to addressing water resources management in Nigeria.
Also considered are: lack of access to funding,. autonomy and accountability as key factors that must be ensured in the instruments guiding the sector, while suggesting that unbundling water supply functions into different agencies should be pursued to promote efficiency and accountability.
According to the conference, “sustainable WASH services in terms of financial viability, reliable service and acceptable standards cannot be achieved without good and appropriate governance”
Speaking with The Tide in in Port Harcourt, General Manager of the Rivers State Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Mr Napoleon Adah, said the outcome of the conference will repositioned the water sector for greater productivity if implemented.
He said the conference has carefully examined all problems militating against adequate water supply in the country and as well proffer solutions to them.
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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