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World Water Day And Provision Of Clean Water

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2 years ago

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The declaration by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in far back 1992 could be said to have set the stage for the annual World Water Day celebrations across the globe.
However, the first World Water Day  was celebrated in1993
It would be recalled that the United Nations had set aside 22nd of every year as World Water Day
Information  available to The Tide has it that the concept of World Water Day was suggested in Agenda 21 during the 3rd _14th 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
It was also learnt that later in December that year, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution,A/RES/47/193 designating March 22 as World Water Day.
It went on to say that the event was to highlight the importance of fresh water and advocate for the sustainable management of this important natural resources
For this year’s, the theme was “Water For Peace”
And as a part of the global community, the Rivers State Government also joined its counterparts across the world to mark the day.
It would be noted that the Rivers State Government through the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development had  lined up a number of activities to commemorate the day.
Some of the activities include an inspection tour of the ongoing Port Harcourt Mega project with various stakeholders including school children and a symposium.
At  the symposium held at the Hotel Presidential,  Port Harcourt, various speakers highlighted the importance of clean water for the good health and wellbeing of the citizenry.
According to various speakers,  waterborne diseases were a major contributor to the  deaths of many citizens in the country
The conference also acknowledged the effort of the present administration in the State in ensuring clean and quality drinking water for the citizens
While declaring the event open,the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Barrister Mrs Patience K Omereji said the celebration should provide the opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the importance of clean water for the peace and stability of the society.
According to the Permanent Secretary, it behooves on  the people to reflect on the critical role that water plays in fostering peace and stability across the globe
‘With this year’s theme, Water For Peace,”we are reminded of the undeniable connection between access to clean water and the promotion of peaceful coexistence among nations and communities, particularly those sharing borders”
Omereji said that the theme should serve as a wake up call to emphasise the importance of water as a catalyst for peace building effort
“This suggests that ensuring access to clean water and managing water resources sustainably can contribute to conflict prevention and resolution where water rights are prevalent,”she said.
She said the Rivers State Government is not only working hard to ensure citizens get access to clean water but is determined to end open defecation by 2030.
‘Here in Rivers State, under the able leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara,we understand that water and sanitation are entwined drivers of public health and as a result have joined the world in ending open defecation by the year 2030 “It is of note that the type of access, quantum of water supply and quality of sanitation facilities available determine to a great extent the quality of life of the people and the potential for poverty alleviation.
“Sustainable service delivery of water supply, sanitation and hygiene as well as environmental sanitation are recognised as important elements for achieving improved health and a sustainable economy for the people of Rivers State.
“This was aptyly recognised in His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara’s campaign manifestoes,”she said.
The Permanent Secretary also told the forum that the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara is SDG 6 compliant, adding that the government through the Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development is making concerted efforts in implementing policies and strategies that ensure equitable access to clean water resources while promoting cooperation among stakeholders
“Worthy of note is the ongoing robust works called the Port Harcourt Water supply and sanitation projects that are at various stages of completion
She said the scheme when completed will deliver safe water to homes both within Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas.
On his part, the former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Elder Samuel Ijeoma decried the incessant vandalisation of water facilities by unscrupulous elements in the State.
Ijeoma who said he was happy that the Eleme Water project is functioning, said clean water is very important as water borne diseases kill faster than COVID-19 and other dieseases.
He also decried the proliferation of water satchet factories, adding that many people drink poison in the name of pure water.
The former Permanent Secretary, however, said people must be prepared to pay for clean water as is being done in the developed countries.
He said clean water is not free , noting that even in America, people pay for water consumption.
Ijeoma also said lack of regulation has led to unhygienic practices by some satchet water producers, as some boreholes are sited close to suckaways.
The former Permanent Secretary, who is the Director General of the Rivers State Pensions Board decried the incessant vandalisation of reticulation facilities.
He urged the Ministry to use the annual World Water Day celebration to come up with programmes that will make the citizenry to have access to clean water, stressing that World Water Day had become mere celebrations without concrete results. Ijeoma, who was chairman of the occasion also urged the Ministry to reach out to the Governor on the issue.
In his presentation, the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution and Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenni- barini Zabbey said HYPREP is on the same page with the Rivers State Government as for as the provision of clean water is concerned.
He said the agency is presently undertaking water project in more than 18 communities across the four Ogoni local government areas .
Zabbey said apart from water projects, the agency is also intervening in the areas of shoreline protection and mangrove resuscitation in Ogoni
According to him, HYPREP will continue to collaborate with the state government in designing and execution of water projects.
General Manager of the Port Harcourt Water Corporation, Chief Ibibia Walter decried the politicisation of water.
He said the water sector has suffered neglect over the years as successive governments do not see it as a necessary campaign tool.
Walter said the proliferation of water agencies has not  even helped in the supply of clean water to the people, adding that in some countries even the MinistrIes of Water Resources was non existent.
He however warned the government to be careful as the scrambled for water may breed future conflicts not only in the state but across the country.
Speaking with newsmen, the Chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP) Oke Okafor denied that satchet water is poisonous.
He said the association has a department that ensures quality control as well as regulate entries into the industry .
Others who spoke pointed out the importance of clean water to the health and wellbeing of the people.
They said time has come for government to ensure that people have access to quality and clean water.
The event also featured a drama sketch by the Rivers State Art Council and a lecture.
Just as it is always said, “water,  water every where but no water to drink.”
Indeed, there is “water everywhere but no water to drink.” This lack of clean water had sometimes resulted to severe cases of waterborne diseases such as Cholera and others.
Just as it was observed at the event, the water day celebration has become an annual ritual but has it translated to provision of quality water for the citizenry? This is a question that stakeholders in the water sector should provide answer to.

By: John Bibor

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Environment

Why Buildings Keep Collapsing In Nigeria…. NIOB

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5 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) has attributed the recurring building collapse cases across the country to weak construction laws and failure to hold offenders accountable.
President of the institute, Daniel Kolade, made this known in Abuja at the 2026 Builders Day celebration, themed, “Advocacy and Policy Influence: Towards Sustainable Reforms for a Resilient Built Environment”
He expressed worry that, in spite of concerns over building safety, a key regulatory framework meant to strengthen enforcement within the built environment has remained pending before the National Assembly since 2006.
According to him, the delay has created a situation where those responsible for structural failures often escape punishment.
“Because the enforcement arm of the law is still lying with the National Assembly and has not been passed into law since 2006, the room remains for people to go scot-free when these incidents happen,” Kolade said.
According to Kolade, the lack of consequences encourages negligence on construction sites, as many operators believe little or nothing will happen, even if they violate building regulations.
Kolade cited previous building collapse incidents where, years after the tragedies, no individual had been prosecuted or sanctioned.
“As long as people continue to go free when these things happen, you should expect that it may not stop,” he said.
The NIOB president also said that the growing number of unqualified individuals working on construction sites worsened the problem.
He said it has become common for people without the required training or professional certification to assume technical roles in building projects.
“On most construction sites today, everybody claims to be an engineer, even labourers.
“Without the requisite knowledge and understanding, people just assume roles they are not qualified for,” he said.
Kolade noted that professional builders are regulated by the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), which has the authority to register practitioners and discipline erring members.
He explained that builders found guilty of professional misconduct should face sanctions, including the withdrawal of their practicing licences.
However, he said the absence of a strong enforcement mechanism outside professional bodies makes it difficult to prosecute developers or project promoters who violate construction standards.
“In Nigeria, only one major case in Lagos saw the building promoter go down with the incident.
“In many other cases across the country, those responsible have walked free,” he said.
Kolade stressed that the built environment consists of several specialised professionals, each with defined responsibilities, including builders, architects and engineers.
He said the NIOB remained committed to promoting professionalism, ethical standards and quality assurance within the building industry.
March 13 is observed annually as Builders’ Day to create public awareness about the roles of professional builders and the importance of engaging qualified professionals in construction projects.
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Environment

Lagos Resumes Monthly Environmental Sanitation April 25

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5 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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The Lagos State Government has announced the resumption of the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, nearly a decade after it was suspended in the state.
Residents are expected to clean their surroundings, clear drainage channels in front of their homes, and dispose of waste responsibly as part of efforts to improve environmental hygiene and tackle waste management challenges.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Saturday, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that the exercise would officially restart later in the year.
“I am pleased to inform all Lagosians that the monthly environmental sanitation exercise will resume effective Saturday, 25th April 2026, holding on the last Saturday of every month from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
“During this period, residents are enjoined to clean their surroundings, clear drainage channels in their frontages, and dispose of waste properly as a civic responsibility.”
Wahab urged residents to view the initiative as a shared duty toward building a healthier city, stressing that the government would ensure strict compliance.
“This exercise is a collective responsibility and a vital part of our commitment to a cleaner, healthier, and flood-resilient Lagos. And it shall be backed with the full enforcement weight of the Lagos State Government,” he said.
Explaining the significance of reintroducing the sanitation culture, the commissioner said the state was returning to a practice that once formed part of Lagosians’ lifestyle.
“Let me formally say this and say it boldly. Mr Governor and his deputy are taking a very audacious step. For those who don’t know, prior to 2016, we had a culture that emphasised cleanliness as next to godliness.
“Once every month, we took our time to clean up our surroundings and then maintain them sparkling. However, for some years, we stopped it.”
He said the absence of the exercise had contributed to mounting environmental pressures in the state.
“Now, waste, debt, and environmental challenges have become an existential challenge to us as a state. It’s taken us over a year to debate, talk, and agree that it’s time to reintroduce a monthly environmental sanitation,” Wahab said.
Appealing to residents for cooperation, he urged Lagosians to dedicate a small portion of their time each month to environmental cleanliness.
“It’s a plea that it is time for us to give up just one or two hours a month. In our marketplaces, every Thursday, we observe environmental cleanliness. But this time, we are saying as a state, let us sit back once a month and observe the cleanliness of our environment as we used to before 2016.”
“The monthly sanitation exercise, previously held on the last Saturday of every month between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., was suspended in November 2016 following a legal pronouncement restricting movement during the exercise.
The suspension later coincided with growing waste management concerns, including clogged drainage channels and indiscriminate refuse disposal across parts of the state.
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Environment

Illegal Buildings On Embassies’ Land Will Be Demolished – Wike

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5 days ago

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March 16, 2026

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has condemned the construction of buildings on land allocated to foreign embassies in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension, Abuja, describing them as illegal structures.
Wike spoke on Friday while addressing journalists during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT.
He said the illegal structures would not be allowed to stand and ordered the demolition of the affected buildings.
During the tour, the minister inspected several roads and infrastructure projects, including the route linking Wuse to the Central Area, a road near the Body of Benchers complex, and the Tungan-Madaki road off the airport corridor.
He expressed confidence that many of the projects would be completed in time for the inauguration marking the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
On the illegal structures occupying embassy land, Wike said the plots had originally been allocated on March 18, 2008, to various diplomatic missions for residential purposes, but were later seized by an illegal developer who began construction without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority.
“This land was allocated to various embassies in 2008. Somebody just came here, took the land, and started developing it on their own without approval from the FCDA. We cannot allow this kind of land invasion to continue,” he said.
Wike listed the diplomatic missions affected to include Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation. A portion of the land had also been reserved for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria for a 132/133KV power station.
The minister said the FCTA had directed the Department of Development Control to demolish all structures on the land and restore it to its original purpose.
“I have told them to bring down every building standing on this land,” he said, adding that the affected embassies would be formally notified to take possession of their allocated plots.
Wike also disclosed that the suspected developer had been arrested and would soon be prosecuted.
“The man has been arrested and he will be charged in court. The police are carrying out their investigation and he will be charged any moment from now,” he said.
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