Editorial

WWD: Beyond The Rituals

Published

5 years ago

March 21, 2021

Every year on the 22nd of March, World Water Day is celebrated to focus on the importance of water
and the need to preserve it. Water is important for a healthy body. We all know that. This is why the United Nations General Assembly specifically designated this day in 1993 to call attention to the water-related challenges people residing without access to water face.
The positive idea for this global day goes back to 1992, the year in which the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, took place. That same year, the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted a resolution by which 22 March of each year was declared World Day for Water, to be observed with effect from 1993.
This year´s theme: ‘Valuing Water’ is about what water means to us, its true value and how we can better guard this necessary resource. The value of water is much more than its price – water has substantial and complicated value for our households, culture, fitness, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment.
The quantity and quality of water available for human consumption today has been affected by damaged ecosystems. Now, about 2.2 billion people do not have safe drinking water at home; it will affect their health, education and overall livelihood. Based on this knowledge, UN member states and agencies and various other non-governmental organisations have actively participated in promoting the protection of clean water.
Today, water is under intense danger from a developing population, growing needs of agriculture and industry, and the worsening influences of climate change. The growing importance of water is interlinked between households, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our herbal environment. As societies balance the demands on water assets, the pursuits of many are not being taken into account.
The UN uses today to emphasise the importance of water. The campaign shows how our maximum use of water can help reduce floods, droughts, shortages and pollution, and how we can help ourselves deal with climate change. By adapting to the impact of climate change on water, the UN thinks that health can be protected and lives saved. And, by using water more efficiently, we all can help reduce greenhouse gases.
For the power sector and other businesses, water-related threats such as water scarcity, flooding and climate change can push up costs and totally disrupt supply chains. On the other hand, corporate mismanagement of water can harm ecosystems and damage reputations and affect sales.
According to the UN, there are 129 countries not on course to have sustainably managed water resources by 2030 and the current rate of development must be doubled. More than three billion people are at danger because of the lack of data on the health of their rivers, lakes and groundwater.
For Nigeria, the lackadaisical strategies to problems of water and energy are hard to realise against the understanding of the general enhancements they can make on lives, including growing jobs across industries and diverse enterprises. Nigeria’s state of affairs is worse: we do not have potable water.
A report released by the World Bank in 2017, said Nigeria provided clean water to fewer than 10 per cent of its city dwellers in 2015, down from 29 per cent in 25 years earlier i.e. 1990. Potable water supply cannot match the tempo of the country’s population growth. For this reason, Nigerians desperately look for water to satisfy their home and other needs and are at the mercy of water providers who frequently supply hazardous and poorly packaged water.
Responsibility for water supply in the country is shared among the three levels of government. The Federal Government is in charge of water resources management; state governments have the primary duty for urban water supply and local governments together with the communities are responsible for rural water supply. The government at all levels needs to urgently provide better water supplies to the citizenry.
Over the past three years, the Rivers State Government has undertaken a dynamic attempt to reform the water sector to reinforce service delivery. As part of the reform, an in-depth design was prepared in June 2011 for the rehabilitation and enlargement of the Port Harcourt water supply scheme, which forms the premise for this project.
Since Governor NyesomWike assumed office in 2015, reasonable efforts have been made in developing the water sector. For instance, the water projects in rural communities like Abonnema, Idama, Elem Sangama, Obonoma, Idama, Angulama, amongst others, have been completed and they now have direct access to potable water. Meanwhile, Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor water projects are ongoing. They will serve residents of both councils when finished off.
Also, all remodelled and upgraded schools in the state have potable water. Schools like County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche, Government Secondary School, Abua, Government Secondary School, Ogu, Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta, and many others, were provided with drinkable water upon completion.
However, the state government should without delay begin the proposed water certification scheme to guard residents of the state against being constantly endangered following continued intake of noxious water. Steps should be taken to make sure that facilities used by ‘pure water’ producers go through a standard laboratory test.
There is a need for collaboration with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to similarly examine the quality of the waterproof used to bag the product as many manufacturers have been found to utilise the lowest quality of waterproof in the industry.
Though the provision of water supply is capital intensive, it is a primary necessity for the well-being of the citizenry. The government can venture into water supply through Public-Private Partnership to make certain adequate production, distribution and possibly the sale of potable water across the country. Above all, the Federal Government should put into effect fully the provisions of the authorised 2000 Nigeria’s National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

11 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

12 hours ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.