“Why government must save Lake Chad”

The Federal Government has been tasked to sustain efforts at saving Lake Chad from dying because the effect of its destruction would be felt around the globe. A water expert and representative of Elan Expo, Mr. Jude Chima said the problem of Lake Chad must be nipped in the bud before it gets out of […]

The Federal Government has been tasked to sustain efforts at saving Lake Chad from dying because the effect of its destruction would be felt around the globe.

A water expert and representative of Elan Expo, Mr. Jude Chima said the problem of Lake Chad must be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand.

He spoke in Lagos during a visit to the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti to intimate him on the 2018 West Africa Waste Water Technologies Expo holding in Lagos.

He stressed the need for Nigeria and other African countries to prioritize clean water supply and sanitation.

Chima said, “Lake chad basin is a very serious issue which we need to nip in the bud before it gets out of hands and we are happy that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources is doing something about that and we are keying into that and we believe we are partners in progress as far as water in West Africa is concerned”.

No fewer than 70 manufacturers and many investors from various countries of the world are expected at the expo to galvanize stakeholders’ actions and collaboration in improving access to clean and portable water.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Lower Niger River Basins, Rural Water Supply Agencies, as well as the Lagos State Government are keying into the expo taking place between July 10 to 12, according to Chima.

He added, "The purpose is to rally all stakeholders in the Water sector, the waste management sector to see to increased participation in the aspect of water supply, distribution, sanitation, recent technologies in the waste water sector.

"The population is growing. We need to also consider the water aspect because without clean water we would have a whole lot of issues health-wise to handle.

"The essence of this exhibition is to coordinate and ensure that in the nearest future, we don’t have issues on water supply and distribution, clean water and we have a whole lot of stakeholders coming on board for this event.

"We have visited some embassies and they are already willing to cooperate and participate in this exhibition. We also have strong support from institutions that are related to water."

The Commissioner assured the team of government support towards the success of the programme which he noted is in tandem with the government’s investment drive in all sector’s of the state’s economy.

Durosinmi-Etti said, "We have listened to your request, we are excited, Lagos is surrounded by water, some call it the land of aquatic splendour, we also know that Lagos with the teeming population of 20-25 million is also a natural destination for this expo.