NAN-AE-7
Environment
By Veronica Dariya
Bwari (Abuja), March 2, 2018 (NAN) Dr Samaila Kunden, a Senior Lecturer with the Department of Geography, Nassarawa State University, Keffi has called on government to increase its resources to address environmental challenges.
Kunden made the call on Friday when the postgraduate students of Geography Department of the university visited the Lower Usuma Dam Water Treatment Plant, Bwari, on a field trip.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, the theme of the annual field trip is “Environmental Sustainability in the Federal Capital Territory and its Environ.’’
He said with increase in population, there would be increase in human activities which might cause the available natural resources to depreciate.
The don said that although government was doing its best to sustain the environment, it must intensify efforts to protect the environment.
“Increase in population is increase in human activity which is affecting the existing resources that we have, especially water.
“Water is reducing because it has surpassed its initial plan; there is need for continuous and intense monitoring of such resources to meet the demands and requirements which they are set for.’’
Kunden explained that the field trip was to provide practical platform to which the students could associate with what they were taught in the classroom.
He also said the exercise would give students room to develop research topics, including solutions to environmental challenges in the society.
Earlier, the Head of the Geography Department in the institution, Prof. Nasiru Idris, said the field trip was an integral part of the postgraduate studies in the department.
Also, the Head of Departments of Reservoir and Production in the Dam, Mr Agbortean Osareme, said the dam usually harvest raw water from rainfall and treated it for consumption.
He said that the entire process worked against pollution and ensured that the water was of best quality.
Mr Simon Peter, one of the students, described the experience he derived from the trip as wonderful.
He said that he was impressed by the tri, adding that he would put the knowledge he acquired from the trip into practice in sustaining the environment.
Also, Hadiza Suleiman, another student said that the experience had allowed her to locate the dam and given her the opportunity to witness the process of water clarity.
Suleiman also said that she had realised that what was on ground in Usuma dam was quite different from what she envisioned from the theory she learnt in the classroom.
NAN reports that more than 50 students and members of staff from the department participated in the trip.(NAN)
DVK/JTJ/DUA
Edited by Julius Toba Jegede/Dada Ahmed