BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
As Nigeria joins the global community in marking the 2024 World Rivers Day Celebration the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment has charged the people to take proactive steps to avoid water pollution.
The 2024 World Rivers Day celebration has its theme as “the Incredible Natural, Cultural and Re-creational Values of Rivers and Streams in our Communities” and in Nigeria, it is being celebrated under the sub-theme “Protect our Rivers from Pollution”.
Speaking on Monday at the headquarters of the Ministry during a formal event to mark the celebration, the Minister, Prof. Joseph Utsev particularly noted that the nation’s rivers are not refuse dumps and people should avoid dumping sewage and other untreated effluents into rivers as well as other harmful practices.
Utsev noted that rivers play significant role in the water cycle especially in the formation of rain, enhances the economic survival of any nation, serves as habitat for aquatic plants and animals, and is accordingly integral to all lives.
In his remarks, Prof Utsev noted that this year’s celebration is being marked on a very low key because of the flood incident in parts of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria, that resulted in loss of lives and property.
Speaking on its aftermath, Utsev said: “The Ministry has embarked on an overhaul assessment of the Alau Dam in Maiduguri to ascertain its integrity in order to take stringent measures that would help in guarding against future reoccurrence.”
According to the Minister, “the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has also announced that the management of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has begun a controlled water releases in measure aimed at preventing major flooding downstream in Nigeria, particularly along the Benue River.”
The Minister added that he has further directed NIHSA to: “keep vigil on the water levels of the major rivers and other inland rivers across the nation.”
Prof. Utsev said state governments along the banks of River Benue; “Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, and others have been advised to remain vigilant and implement preparedness measures to enhance sensitization of flood mitigation, clearing of blocked drainage channels and relocation of people living along flood prone areas to safer grounds.
“Similarly, the twelve (12) River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs)have been equally directed to monitor all the Dams and report any occurrence that stands to threaten the safety of lives and properties within their respective locations,” he said.
He emphasized that RBDAs are required to sensitize the general public within their respective locations on the importance of protecting river courses, adding that Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL), operator of the Kainji, Jebba, Zungeru Hydropower Plants has been advised to notify all relevant stakeholders and Government Agencies of its annual discharge of water from its Reservoir.
Welcoming the sub-theme for this year’s celebration, Prof. Utsev said it could not have come at a better time considering the nexus between river, water, flooding and environmental health.
He said the effects of extreme climates of flooding and drought are already having serious negative impacts on the Nigeria populace and, since these are predictable, measures can be put in place to mitigate its impact.
Earlier, the Minister of State in the Ministry Barr. Bello Goronyo charged Nigerians against peddling unsubstantiated information about dam safety such as the recent reportage on the health of Dadin-Kowa and Goronyo Dams in Gombe and Sokoto States saying it could have devastating consequences such as: “eroding public trust, heightening unfounded tension, undermining confidence on the infrastructure, risking lives and properties as well as compromising environmental sustainability.”
Goronyo said that considering the enormous benefits being derived from the multipurpose uses of the nation’s dam infrastructure including water supply, irrigation, flood control and hydro-power generation, the Ministry will continue to demonstrate its commitment to protecting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure from the devastating effects of flooding in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda
On his part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard, Pheelangwah, expressed dismay that despite the significant role water play in shaping the earth’s surface features such as enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem activities, hydroelectricity, irrigation, climate regulation, transportation of goods and services and promotion of tourism, among others, rivers in Nigeria are prone to diverse pollution, climate change, urbanization, population growth, industrial development and other human activities that endanger it.
Also during the event, some heads of agencies under the Ministry and thier representatives, in thier remarks of solidarity expressed commitment to the mandate of the ministry and thier readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure healthy rivers.
