FG to increase hydrological stations in the country

The minister, who made this known at a workshop organized by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) themed hydrological observations systems and delineation of hydrological areas (Has), said NIHSA has procured some hydrological equipment to be installed across the country.“Meanwhile, about 30 manual gauging stations have been […]

The minister, who made this known at a workshop organized by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) themed hydrological observations systems and delineation of hydrological areas (Has), said NIHSA has procured some hydrological equipment to be installed across the country.
“Meanwhile, about 30 manual gauging stations have been established across the country within the last four months. More are to be established in the first quarter of 2014,” she said.
The minster, who was represented by Mr S. O. Ome the Director Water Quality Control and Sanitation, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, described the present level of hydrological observation system with about 237 hydrological stations across the country as a far cry from the 384 primary stations recommended by the World Meteorological Organization for the entire country.
“Even at that, most of the stations were destroyed by the 2012 flood which led to the Presidency’s grant of N603million to NIHSA to rehabilitate the affected stations and as well increase the density of the stations across the country,” she said.
Ochekpe also lauded the initiative of NIHSA to convene the workshop for stakeholders to contribute in ensuring that the draft of the hydrological observations systems and delineation of hydrological areas is comprehensive enough for the management of water resources in sustainable manner in the country.
“It is therefore imperative to have the hydrological areas properly delineated for Water Resources assessment. It is on the basis that high quality hydrological data can be generated for proper planning and management of our vast water resources for sustainable development of other resources of the country such as solid minerals, agriculture, hydropower generation etc,” she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) Mr. Ayoade Shamonba, represented by Mr. M. O. Beckley, said so much work has been done on the project which was phased out in three main schedules from August 2011 to date.  
He said the workshop is underscored by the need for genuine critique and contributions of the stakeholders into the final draft to be submitted later this month.
“No doubt the product of this project in the end would be very useful to us all particularly in hydrological operations for better assessment, management of our water resources for the ultimate sustainable national socio-economic development,” he reiterated.
The permanent secretary Baba Umar Farouk who was represented by the Director Special Duties, Mr. Femi O. Odumosu, said the workshop is apt due to useful comment and suggestions especially in the hydrology and surface water monitoring system component of the project which will be offered by the team of experts to enrich the project draft final report to be presented in this month.