By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) has announced its decision to adopt Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to resolve water management disputes in the country.

Mrs Sakinatu Abbo-Jimeta, Acting Executive Director of NIWRMC, announced this at a workshop on Conflict Management for Enforcing the Water Resources Act in Abuja on Thursday. 

According to her, ADR is more effective and efficient than traditional litigation, adding that it resolves disputes before they escalate.

Abbo-Jimeta said the workshop aimed to train participants in settling disputes through third-party engagement.

She added that it offered a cost-effective and timely alternative to “time-wasting and expensive” litigation.

The NIWRMC boss said that conflicts over water were  inevitable, especially given its critical importance, stressing that ADR plays a crucial role in managing such disputes.

“The workshop, a “train-the-trainer” initiative, is designed to equip instructors, who will later train staff within the organisation and in the field,” Abbo-Jimeta said.

Mr Rotimi Ojegbile, Director, Legal Unit, NIWRMC, also noted the relevance of ADR in the African context.

He explained that it had long been used in the region for resolving disputes through reconciliation and mediation. 

Ojegbile said that it was important  to seek alternatives to litigation to avoid making disputes acrimonious. 

He said the workshop was a crucial step toward enhancing water management conflict resolution and promoting nationwide collaboration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NIWRMC’s mandate is to regulate, protect, conserve, and control water resources under the 2004 National Water Resources Act. (NAN) 

Edited by Mark Longyen

By Tosin Kolade

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev has advocated collective action to protect the Nigeria’s water bodies from pollution and flooding.

Utsev said this on Monday in Abuja at an event to commemorate the 2024 World Rivers Day, with the theme: “Protect Our Rivers from Pollution”.

World Rivers Day is being celebrated globally to raise awareness about the importance of rivers.

This year’s observance in Nigeria serves as a reminder of the urgent need to protect the country’s water bodies. 

Utsev underscored the role rivers play in the water cycle, economy, ecosystem and sustainable development.

“Our rivers are lifelines for communities, ecosystems, and economies across Nigeria, it is our collective responsibility to prevent pollution, flooding, and other threats that endanger these vital resources.

“Protecting our rivers require a collective effort. Let us all work together to prevent pollution and flooding so that future generations can benefit from these priceless resources,” he said.

He noted that this year’s celebration was subdued due to the devastating Maiduguri flood which caused significant damage in Borno.

Utsev recalled that the Sept. 10 flood claimed lives and destroyed properties, prompting his ministry to assess the Alau Dam to prevent future disasters.

“As we commemorate World Rivers Day, we also stand in solidarity with the people of Borno State.

“We are working closely with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to monitor water levels across the country and ensure that such incidents do not reoccur,” he said.

Utsev stressed the importance of flood preparedness, particularly in states along the Benue River, such as Adamawa, Taraba and Benue.

He urged state governments to remain vigilant, clear drains and relocate residents from flood-prone areas.

The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protect Nigeria’s rivers from pollution, urging stakeholders to view rivers as “living entities” deserving of legal rights and protections.

He enjoined Nigerians to safeguard rivers from harmful practices such as dumping of waste and overuse.

“We must extend these protections to our watersheds and basins, recognising that clean and healthy rivers are fundamental to our survival,” Utsev added.

Also, Dr Bello Goronyo, his state counterpart, noted the role of rivers and dams in sustaining life and supporting national development.

He stressed that protecting rivers was crucial to maintaining dam infrastructure, which supports water supply, irrigation, and hydro-power generation.

Goronyo warned against harmful river activities that jeopardise dam safety and water resources.

While calling for collaboration between the government, stakeholders and the media to enhance public awareness and prevent misinformation about dam safety, Goronyo stressed the need for support to enhance sustainable water management.

The event attended by representatives of the National Water Resources Institute Kaduna, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission and NIHSA, featured symbolic tree planting and river clearing at the Jabi Lake, FCT, Abuja. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has announced the commencement of gradual release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam to prevent flooding in Nigeria.

The Director-General of NIHSA, Mr Umar Mohammed, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He stated that “following an official communication from the dam’s management, the water release will gradually increase over the next seven days”.

According to him, the initial release rate is set at 100 cubic meters per second (approximately 8.64 million cubic meters per day) starting Sept. 17, 2024, with potential increase to 1,000 cubic meters per second.

He noted that the final rate would depend on inflows from the upstream Garoua River, the primary source of the reservoir, which also feeds into the Benue River, a key waterway in Nigeria.

“The release will be regulated to ensure that water levels do not exceed the capacity of the Benue River system, preventing major flooding in downstream areas of Nigeria,” he added.

He reassured the public that measures are in place to control the flow and reduce flooding risk, with the release stopping once inflows to the Lagdo reservoir is manageable.

He emphasised that there is no immediate cause for alarm, as water levels along the Benue River remain within safe limits.

He urged heightened vigilance from states bordering the Benue River, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers.

He called on both federal and state governments, as well as local authorities, to prepare adequately for any potential rise in water levels to mitigate the risk of flooding.

Mohammed also assured the public that “NIHSA will continue to monitor river flow levels closely and provide regular updates to prevent emergencies.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Niger Basin Authority recently warned of rising water levels in the River Niger, urging states along the river to remain on high alert for possible flooding. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government has assured the public that the Alau Dam in Borno did not collapse during recent flooding, attributing the overflow to climate change and excessive rainfall.

Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, extended the government’s condolences to the people of Borno State during a press conference in Abuja on Friday.

The minister noted that earlier this year, a flood risk warning identified 31 states, including Borno, as high-risk areas.

He said a team of technical experts from the ministry, various agencies, and the Chad Basin Development Authority were currently assessing the damage and working on solutions.

Utsev warned residents about the risks of contaminated water and the potential for waterborne diseases.

He also warned the increasing threat of river flooding along the Niger and Benue rivers, urging all regions to stay vigilant and take proactive measures.

He mentioned the President’s approval of N108 billion for flood prevention across the 36 states, based on recommendations from the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster Prevention.

Utsev urged state governments and stakeholders to follow early warning systems and implement preventive actions to reduce future flooding.

The minister pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting affected communities, saying technical teams were assessing dams nationwide and planning upgrades.

“Government officials confirmed that climate change has intensified rainfall, leading to excess water that many dams are struggling to manage.

“When this administration began, we immediately initiated studies and designs for the rehabilitation of existing dams, including Alau.

“The dam didn’t collapse, but it struggled to handle the excess water from nearby tributaries, causing overflow into surrounding areas”.

He added that long-term solutions were underway, with budgetary allocations for 2024 and 2025 specifically targeting dam rehabilitation.

“As temperatures rise, we expect increased rainfall, leading to higher water volumes in our rivers and channels.

“Proactive measures are crucial to preventing future escalations,”Utsev said.

Alhaji Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, urged the media to exercise caution when reporting on sensitive issues.

He stressed that misinformation and disinformation posed a threat to the nation, and urged greater collaboration to enhance the well-being of citizens

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many residents of Maiduguri, Borno State, have been displaced by flooding caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam.

The flood had submerged residential areas, roads, and bridges, making parts of the city inaccessible.

Maiduguri is experiencing its worst flooding in 30 years, with homes underwater, schools closed, and businesses paralysed, as residents evacuate with their belongings. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru