Ministry seeks partnership for water resources management
NAN-AE-12
Partnership
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, Feb. 2, 2017 (NAN) The Federal Ministry of Water Resources has urged development partners to support government’s effort towards implementing the Integrated Water Resources Management master plan of the country.
Adamu made this call at a General Assembly of Partners of Global Water Partnership (GWP) Nigeria, on Thursday in Abuja.
Integrated Water Resources Management is a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner.
He said adequate management of the nation’s water resources in an integrated manner was an important element to human livelihood and critical to sustenance of life.
Adamu, represented by Mr Reuben Habu, said water resources management in Nigeria has been besieged by many challenges, saying it includes rapid population growth, socioeconomic development as well as climate change.
He said all line ministries need to align their programmes and policies towards increasing access to water, adding that all stakeholders needed to play their part.
“Water resources management in Nigeria has been particularly besieged by many challenges in the country, a dimension of which manifested in the unprecedented flood in 2012.
“These challenges have tremendous pressure on the water resources of the country. ”
The Chairman, GWP Nigeria, Dr Hassan Bdliya said the NGO was partnering with institutions and organisations towards making the principles of integrated water resources management known, recognised and applied by all stakeholders in Nigeria.
Bdliya said with active support and participation of steering committee members, the organisation was able to secure accreditation for Nigeria’s country partnership and anchored dialogues on water and food security.
“Since we had our last General Assembly in 2013, Nigeria has been able to access funds through GWP organisation to pilot projects that will improve food security and interface between water, environment and agricultural production activities.”
Ms Ebele Okeke, Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Ambassador, stressed the need for private individuals to be more involved in integrated water resources management and to put money into it.
She said that it was saddening to note that majority of Nigerians left water resources management for government alone.
Ebele expressed the need for collective ownership towards imprinting aces to water and protection of the nation’s water resources.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the GWP Nigeria, supports the effort of Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission. (NAN)
TAK/EAL
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi
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