Setting agenda for the water sector

At the recently concluded retreat convened by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja, the Minister, Engineer Suleiman H. Adamu, brought a refreshing perspective to the Ministry. He set forth the tone of the discourse in very concise terms when he declared that the retreat is: “aimed at strengthening weaknesses in the delivery of […]

At the recently concluded retreat convened by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja, the Minister, Engineer Suleiman H. Adamu, brought a refreshing perspective to the Ministry. He set forth the tone of the discourse in very concise terms when he declared that the retreat is: “aimed at strengthening weaknesses in the delivery of the Ministry’s mandate and to develop a “Road Map” that will enable sustainable positive impact in the water sector within a short period”.
The 3-day retreat which was held in Abuja from 11th -13th December, 2015, was to address, amongst other issues, the repositioning of the Ministry of Water Resources in line with the vision and mission of the new government, charting a “Roadmap” for continuous management, development and enhancement of strategies for efficient water supply, availability and utilization of water resources.
Water as a resource is a vastly untapped phenomenon. Throughout history, man has strived to utilize water for his various activities both to sustain life and the ecosystem. Water is so ubiquitous and indispensable that there is almost no part of this world that it cannot be found. In fact, it is said to occupy a whopping 80% of the earth’s surface!
From oceans to seas, rivers to streams, springs to creeks, tributaries to distributaries, wells and canals-all are filled with water. Man in his efforts also provided dams as artificial bodies of water which serve for irrigation and electrification purposes.
Water also provides a veritable means for the exploration and exploitation of other natural resources such as oil and gas which form a substantial part of the revenue of some countries, Nigeria is a notable example. It is in continuation of man’s efforts to utilize this vast resource for national development that the Federal Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Water Resources has undertaken this charge.
According to the Minister, statistical findings indicate that while previous administrations had strived to raise the water supply accessibility from 58% to 69%, the remaining 31% translating to 52.7 million Nigerians are still being subjected to hazards posed by lack of potable water. In his words: “Significantly, the trend reveals that Nigeria has failed to reach the MDGs target of 75% for improved water supply coverage by 2015”.
Moreover, since being saddled with the new SDG framework benchmark of 100% access to water supply by 2030, it has become increasingly necessary to create a road map that will ensure a progressive improvement in water availability throughout this administration and beyond.
The Federal Government of Nigeria is not resting on its oars in pursuing the long proposed Inter-Basin Water transfer project to replenish the Lake Chad from the Congo Basin, which will mitigate adverse environmental issues in communities living around the region. The government has stated that restoring Lake Chad will not only improve the lives of over 40 million Africans, who directly depend on its water source, but that it would also forestall the desertification southwards of the Sahara. Recall the position of President Muhammadu Buhari during the recently concluded Paris UN Climate Change Conference, where he made a clarion call to save the Lake Chad from going into extinction due to its current rate of recession.
While revealing the enormous potentials of this sector at the retreat, the
Permanent Secretary, Mrs Rabi S. Jimeta also observed the myriad of challenges bedeviling the sector in recent times which has hindered effective service delivery. Over the years, the merging and demerging of the ministry by previous administrations have also affected the smooth functioning of this all-important sector in the areas of policy formulation and implementation.
This is why the President must be commended for recognizing the important part water plays in driving the economy. Hence, he allowed the Ministry to retain a single status. Water is necessary not only in the agricultural sector for the much-needed food security but also other sectors as Power, Health, and Transportation. His vision for handing the reins of leadership to a versatile professional must also be acknowledged. Also, his choice of the Minister Engineer Suleiman H. Adamu with an admirable pedigree as an engineer with enormous working experience in the water-related sector cannot be faulted as he can aptly be described as a round peg in a round hole.
Overall, the retreat could not have come at a better time than now when this administration’s ‘Change Mantra’ is gaining momentum. To this end, it is recommended that the relevant stakeholders in the water-related sectors should come together and establish a framework of co-operation for the exchange of data and information on water resource management. This is to ensure better planning and more efficient service delivery.
It is also expedient that the National Assembly should legislate on the
National Water Resource Bill currently in draft form. This will empower the Ministry to carry out its statutory functions with ease.
The Nigerian government intends to partner with neighbouring countries to find solutions to the various incidences of flooding, drought and dam breakdowns. These areas of rehabilitation and construction could be a viable opportunity for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative of government to thrive.
Home-grown industries and other indigenous innovations should be encouraged and supported to engender citizens’ empowerment, participation and growth of water-based small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).
Since the world has become increasingly globalised in this 21st Century, there have also been various challenges worldwide which Nigeria can learn from and leverage upon to find solutions to existing problems as well as prevent upcoming ones. The recent floods in Chennai, droughts in Kenya and earthquakes in Nepal are examples of water-related catastrophes. Even the recession of the Lake Chad and Cameroun’s Lagdo dam breakdown directly impacts Nigerian territories.
The enormous potentials in proper water resources management can never be over-emphasized. Water is life and it’s ubiquity can be found in various areas of private, national and universal life. Power, Health, Agriculture,
Transportation and other sectors owe their functionality to the availability and proper harnessing of water resources.
Margaret Umoh is the Director Information at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja