By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated the importance of collective action in maintaining regular handwashing habits, to prevent the spread of diseases.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, made this call at a media briefing ahead of the 2024 Global Handwashing Day in Abuja.

He explained that the 2024 event has, ‘Why are clean hands still important?’ as its theme.

According to him, handwashing with soap remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and pneumonia.

“Handwashing with soap is not just a hygiene practice but a global health necessity.

“It is critical to disease prevention and not only helps people improve their health, but also removes barriers to economic opportunity, allows children to learn and grow, and helps strengthen communities.

“It is considered an affordable, accessible “do-it-yourself” vaccine for sanitation and hygiene-related diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and pneumonia, which are prevalent in our communities”.

He said handwashing has been estimated to cut deaths from diarrhoea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by a quarter.

Utsev noted that while awareness of proper hand hygiene has grown, particularly following public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, continued efforts were needed to promote handwashing beyond emergencies.

“Handwashing with soap is not just a hygiene practice but a global health necessity, the practice is critical for strengthening communities and ensuring public health.

“While knowledge of handwashing practices in Nigeria is high at 99 per cent according to the 2021 WASH NORM Report, access to the necessary facilities remains low,” he said.

The minister also emphasised the role of handwashing in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2, which aims to provide universal access to hygiene services.

He emphasised the need for greater efforts to ensure more Nigerians have access to handwashing facilities with soap and water, despite a 99 per cent knowledge rate in hygiene practices.

Utsev acknowledged the efforts of partners such as Reckitt, Action Against Hunger, WaterAid, UNICEF, and Sightsavers in promoting hygiene at the national level.

He urged the media to play a key role in spreading awareness, stating, “Your work can amplify hygiene messages, motivate action from governments and businesses, and inspire individuals to take responsibility”.

He called on all stakeholders to contribute to achieving universal hand hygiene access.

“Let us strive for a world, where every child can grow up with the simple habit of washing their hands with soap, where every healthcare worker has access to hygiene facilities,” he said.

Highlights of the day include an awareness campaign road walk and symbolic handwashing activities at the Garki ultramodern market.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on October 15, is a United Nations designated day aimed at raising awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap.

It seeks to catalyse local, national, and global actions to foster a culture of handwashing, which is an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.(NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Gabriel Yough

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Thursday expressed concerns over the poor implementation of the 700 million dollars Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme by state governments.

This was the thrust at the High-Level Advocacy meeting with seven state governors implementing the SURWASH programme in Abuja.

The programme is being implemented in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said that the meeting aimed to inform and encourage the governors on the programme’s progress and future expectations.

He said that the SURWASH programme, now in its third year of a six-year initiative, had not met expectations in terms of implementation and disbursement.

Utsev attributed the slow progress to a lack of understanding and awareness among the governors, who play a key role in its execution.

He said that plans were in place to visit the seven participating states to assess progress, provide guidance, and invite other states to join in expanding its impact.

He expressed optimism about the governors’ commitment, stating that with proper support and guidance, the programme would achieve its objectives.

He further said that expanding participation to more states could enhance the programme’s effectiveness and contribute to broader democratic development.

World Bank Country Director, Mr Ndiame Diop, said Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation wqs in a state of emergency, failing to reflect the nation’s ambitions.

“It does not reflect the ambition of Nigeria; as a big family here, we should be candid about the fact, ” he said.

Diop said that Nigeria invested an average of only 0.32 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually in WASH services, significantly below the African average of 0.7 per cent.

He said that that at least 1.3 per cent of GDP was required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying that Nigeria is currently lagging behind.

According to Diop, approximately 60 million Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water services, while 80 million do not have adequate washing facilities.

He said that 167 million people lacked access to basic sanitation, and around 48 million Nigerians still practised open defecation.

The country director also pointed out that only eight per cent of the population engaged in safe hygiene practices, while just 10 per cent had access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services combined.

Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, said that the importance of addressing water supply and hygiene issues was to reduce hospital admissions and improve public health.

Radda said that over the past two years, the project had seen only about 40 per cent completion, falling short of the expected 70 per cent to 80 per cent.

The governor attributed this slow progress to a lack of clarity among state governments about their roles and programme benefits.

He stressed the need for continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Water Resources and sanitation, the World Bank, and the states to ensure effective resource utilisation.

Radda said that Katsina State had a procurement plan worth N20 billion, of which N15 billion was currently available.

“An additional five billion Naira is expected to be secured by the end of the year to support the project’s completion.

“For 2025, the state has allocated N50 billion in its budget for further initiatives, ” he said.

The governor noted the need to improve water supply and hygiene in Nigeria, which would have a significant positive impact on public health.

The meeting was attended by some governors and their representatives, commissioners for water resources, officials from the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Women Affairs, secretaries to state governments, and WASH stakeholders (NAN).

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

By Abigael Joshua

The World Bank has pledged to support the Federal Government in turning Nigerian forests to economic hubs.

Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when he hosted a World Bank team.

The team was led by Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, and Chakib Jenane, Regional Director for West and Central Africa on ACReSAL Project.

“The issue of insecurity around the forests can be curbed by making the forests economic hubs where activities and infrastructures would take place to forestall the activities of bandits.’’

The minister said that the support from the World Bank would enable the Federal Government to sustain and expand the forests.

According to him, all hands are on deck to address the issues of forest.

“The World Bank is going to support us create communities around the coastal areas through our frame work.

“The coast lines are Lagos to Calabar where we would collaborate with these states governors,’’ the minister said.

Lawal assured that the issues of logging among others would be tackled as there must be a balance between cultivation and forest.

The minister commended the present administration for the creation of blue economy, saying it was the first of its kind in the history of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that ACReSAL Project tackles land degradation and climate change in 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The collaboration between the Nigerian Government and the World Bank underscores the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability. (NAN) (www.nannewa.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

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 Yakubu Uba

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has pleaded for support from the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW) in reducing flood incident and other environmental challenges in the state.

Zulum made the plea in Maiduguri on Thursday while receiving a delegation of NAGGW, who paid him a sympathy visit over the Alau Dam flood disaster that hit the state capital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flood, which occured on Sept. 10, had led to the death of many people, while property worth billions of Naira destroyed.

Zulum appreciated the active support of the agency, especially its recent launching of three million tree planting campaign in Borno.

He explained that his administration had also set up a green wall agency as part of commitment to protect the environment.

The governor lauded the concern shown by the delegation, who brought food and non food items for the flood victims, and assured them of judicious utilisation of the support.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr Habiba Ibrahim, who is the Director Operations of the agency, commiserated with the government and people of Borno over the flood incident.

She said the agency, as stakeholders in tackling ecological challenges, would collaborate with the state government in taking measures to mitigate flooding and other challenges.

She announced the donation of 80 bags of rice, 60 cartons of macaroni/spaghetti, 60 cartons of vegetable oil, 60 stoves, 600 buckets, 180 mats and 60 pots among others. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal