By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), says it has given out 86 water use licenses to companies using raw bulk water, within eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

Mr Magashi Bashir, the Executive Director of the commission, made this known on Thursday, when he took round the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, on a tour of the commission’s facilities in Abuja.

According to Bashir, the commission has also given demand notices to 76 companies using raw bulk water in pursuance of its enhanced revenue generation agenda to an expected income of N823 million.

He emphasised the need for exercising regulations oversight over water abstraction and water related activities, saying current regulations had led to the revalidation of 50 licenses for users of bulk water.

He said monitoring activities of the licensees would ensure that they operated within the terms and conditions, and would impact greatly on the Nigerian economy.

Magashi said the commission was committed to generating revenue from the water sector to develop infrastructure in the country, saying his tenure had brought in N74 million, an expected 100 per cent revenue increase.

The executive director said the commission had partnered with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, to investigate cases of violators of the Water Resources Act, saying that had yielded positive results.

“We as a Commission, being aware of the revenue deficit in the nation’s revenue needs, are determined to make sure users of raw bulk water pay the appropriate charges.

“It is hoped that with all the efforts committed thus far, the Water Resources Bill will see the light of the day soon, and effective implementation of regulations of water resources can be possible.”

Responding, Adamu commended the leadership of the commission for working dispassionately to reposition the water resources sector.

The minister said the commission was an important arm of the ministry that should be given its independence when the National Water Resources Bill scaled through.

He urged the staff of the commission not to despair at current developments and politicisation of the bill at the National Assembly.

Adamu said those calling it a “Buhari bill’ would have a change of heart soon, saying its aim was to make sure that the nation’s water sector remained competitive and regulated for the overall benefit of all.

“The National Water Resources Bill is not a “Buhari bill”, those calling it all sorts of things are misinformed and it’s all dirty politics, delaying its passage is denying the benefits to the people.”

The minister expressed optimism that his successor would give the commission the needed support to enable it carry out its mandate on integrated water resources management.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that NIWRMC, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, was established in May 2007, following the setting up of a committee on Federal Government Public Reforms.

The commission’s objective and mandate is to regulate, protect, conserve and control water sources for equitable social-economic development. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government, through the Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC) Secretariat, has stepped up efforts to make the FCT open defecation-free by 2025.

Mrs Chizoma Opara, CNC National Coordinator, said this when she led a team to visit toilets constructed under the private sector arrangement of ‘Build Operate and Maintain’ intervention in Abuja on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), had partnered with the CNC to implement the Executive Order 009 of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

The order stipulates an end to open defecation practices in the country by 2025, following Nigeria’s ranking as the second country with the highest number of people practising open defecation globally.

According to the 2021 Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Normal Routine Mapping report, 30 per cent of FCT residents practice open defecation, while 48 million people practice it nationwide.

Opara said it was observed that awareness on the constructed toilets was low, hence the need to carry out sensitisation towards educating the public of its existence, importance and use.

She noted that the FCT administration had keyed into the open defecation-free programme with the promise to provide 10,000 toilets in the nation’s capital.

“We actually thought that it was necessary to look around these facilities and then also to create an awareness around it, because we know that ending open defecation requires that facilities be put in places.

“Such public places like markets, parks, schools and all that, a lot of these facilities are springing up without many people not aware that these are toilets, so it became necessary that we need to create that awareness in the FCT”.

The national coordinator called on FCT RUWASSA to intensify efforts to monitor usage, improve hygiene and ensure that no one was left behind in the campaign for a cleaner environment and safe country .

She said the campaign was aimed at mobilising high-level political support, resources, and the entire populace, towards building a new culture of safe sanitation.

“Following the national launch of the campaign, many states followed suit with the launch of their state-level campaigns and target dates which ranged from 2022 to 2025.

“We are working to see that Kwali Area Council becomes open defecation-free, currently, Nigeria has no less than 100 local governments that have achieved that feat”.

Mr Sani Karu, Assistant Director Information, Media and Publicity, FCT RUWASSA, said the toilet projects were part of activities to support Federal Government’s efforts to scale up sanitation and hygiene in the country.

According to Karu, the executive order 009 mandated all stakeholders to key into the national roadmap towards ending open defecation, saying so far, 200 spots had been allocated to the private sector to that effect.

“Now, we have 20 toilets in different locations that are being used in the FCT, as you can see for yourself, it is now in use and people are happy with this development.”

Karu said the agency would continue to monitor contractors’ compliance with specifications, and carrying needs of everyone along, so as to ensure inclusiveness, especially for persons living with disabilities.

The team visited Sauka, Lugbe, Area One and Wuse public toilet sites, with responses from users commending Federal Government and the FCT administration for changing the poor sanitation situation in the areas.

At a visit to Lugbe Public Toilet site, NAN observed patronage of the toilets, with drivers complimenting the development.

Mr Frank Chigozie, a commercial driver, commended the initiative and appealed to Government to replicate same in rural communities and other public buildings.

Mr Zernnogun Terungwa, Manager of the newly constructed toilet in Area One Motor park, said patronage had increased as a result of awareness creation.

“Many people are happy, they pay between N20 to N50 to use the toilet, and N100 to bath, people no longer defecate publicly anymore, our environment no longer smells,” Terungwa said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nyisom Fiyigon Dore

Cross section of participants at an event to commemorate the 2023 World Water Day on Wednesday in Abuja.

By Tosin Kolade

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has called on Nigerian Government to quadruple current investments, if it must meet the Sustainable Development Goals in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector before 2030.

Dr Moma Enang, UNESCO Regional Office Representative, said this at an event to commemorate the 2023 World Water Day with the theme, “Accelerating Change” on Wednesday in Abuja.

Quoting data from the newly released 2023 UN World Water Development Report, Enang said there was an increase in global water demand, which stood at 30 per cent.

According to her, there is need for countries to deliberately make efforts to improve access to water for the teeming population, saying 10 per cent of the global population lived in countries with high or critical water stress.

She said the global Official Development Assistance for water and sanitation stood at $8.7 billion in 2020, mainly from development partners, saying there was need for partnerships and cooperation to promote sustainable access to water.

She said all hands must be on deck to deliver the much needed change to humanity in the water sector.

“Nearly every water-related intervention involves some kind of cooperation, intra-sectoral, inter-sectoral and extra-sectoral relationships because Between 2.2 and 3.2 billion people lived under water stress for at least 1 month per year.

“75 per cent of the land surface has been significantly altered, with over 85 per cent of natural wetlands area lost, Nearly all countries show signs of risks related to water quality due to climate change”.

Mr Fred Kafeero, Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative, said over 700 million people in the world face high and critical water stress and over 90 percent of natural disasters are water related.

He said agriculture currently accounted for 72 per cent of freshwater withdrawals, saying on current trends, an additional 35 per cent in water resources will be needed by 2050, to meet growing demand for food, fibre and feed.

“This is hugely worrying for efforts to end hunger and poverty, because there can be no food and agriculture, and the livelihoods it supports, without clean and sufficient water.

“Water is needed for irrigation of crops, for livestock, and for the many species that live in aquatic ecosystems.

“We need to create synergies by joining hands and working together. Let us value every drop of water and keep our planet blue and clean”.

Kafeero, represented by Mr Oluseyi Fabiyi, said FAO was supporting the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, to promote drip irrigation system as a way of sustainable water management in selected irrigation schemes.

Dr Jane Bevan, UNICEF Nigeria Chief of WASH, said that one-third of children do not have access to at least basic water at home, and two-thirds do not have basic sanitation services.

Bevan said World Water Day was an opportunity for call to action for all stakeholders to deliberately work to improve water and sanitation in the country.

She said it was estimated that 78 million children in Nigeria suffered from poor water access at the moment, saying at least a third of them lack access to water at home, and two thirds lack access to basic sanitation.

According to her, Nigeria is one of the 10 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa that carry the heaviest burden of diseases caused by inadequate WASH.

“Diseases such as cholera kill children most and a third of the children in this country do not have access to safe water.

“Together with the issues of accelerating climate change and extreme weather, we are seeing increased flooding storms, rainfall, increased temperatures, which means we have more cholera than in the past.

“So we need to do more not less for the children of Nigeria, we owe it to them to really come together and invest more for water and do our best to reach everybody. “

Earlier, the representative of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Agnes Aneke, said the day emphasised the significance of water and to create awareness about the global water crisis.

“The primary purpose of celebrating this day is to promote the achievement of SDGs 6, which aims to provide access to clean water and sanitation for everyone by 2030”.

She pledged the commitment of the administration to continue collaborating with development partners and donors to properly execute off water policies in the country.

Highlight of the event was the public presentation of the United Nations 2023 World Water Development Report by Director, UN Information Centre, Dr Ronald Kayanja, and the commissioning of a water and sanitation, facility in Junior Secondary School, Gwarimpa. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

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Edited by Ifeyinwa Omowole

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Thursday pledged to work with state governments
to tackle cholera outbreaks and deaths in many parts of the country.

Mr Ibiyemi Olu-Daniels, a Director in the Water Quality Control and Sanitation Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources,
made the pledge at the ongoing Technical Support Workshop for the Development of Cholera Emergency Preparedness
and Response (EPR) Plan in Asaba, Delta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cholera is a highly contagious water-borne disease, affecting public health
safety in many regions.

However, the director said that the ministry was committed to working with state governments and relevant stakeholders
to check any outbreak by providing safe, clean water and sanitation services.

He said that over the years, the Federal Government had supported states with several initiatives and projects, including
hygiene promotion and capacity building.

This, he said, was aimed at increasing access to safe and clean water and improving sanitation and hygiene practices
across the country.

Olu-Daniels added that the workshop is an opportunity for experience sharing and knowledge, adherence to best
practices in emergency preparedness and response to cholera outbreaks and related emergencies.

He said “it is also an opportunity to establish a strong collaboration between Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) stakeholders
in Delta State towards a cholera-free state.

“I am confident that this workshop will equip us with the necessary skills, tools and resources to develop effective cholera
emergency preparedness and response plans, as well as establish a strong WASH emergency working group in Delta.

“I encourage participants to actively engage in discussions, share experiences and knowledge, and collaborate toward
a common goal of improving public health in Nigeria.”

He said states must have separate budget lines to cater for WASH interventions, saying with coordination and adequate funds, cholera would be prevented.

Mrs Jane Emonena, the Director, Sanitation, Delta State Ministry of Water Resources, said access to WASH is the first line of defence in any form of emergency.

She defined cholera as an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae, adding that children are mostly at risk.

She mentioned the mode of transmission of cholera to include faecal-oral contaminated water, contaminated food and drinks, among others.

She highlighted the importance of handwashing, proper waste disposal, water treatment in managing cholera cases in the state.

According to her, 45 communities reported cholera outbreaks in five local government areas in 2020.

She said “414 cases and 15 deaths were recorded in five local government areas, namely Bomadi, Burutu, Ughelli, Patani and Ughelli North in 2020.

“In 2021, there was outbreak in five local government areas, 264 cases and 13 deaths recorded.

“Local government areas affected were Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Patani, Warri South and Warri North.”

The director stressed the need for stakeholders’ collaboration toward ending cholera and improving public health.

She added that political actors must go beyond action plans to funding cholera preparedness and response plan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop outcome include the establishment of the Delta State
WASH in Emergency Working Group and development of a Cholera Preparedness and Response Plan.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says no fewer than 583 Nigerians died of cholera in 2022.

It reveals that 23,550 cases were reported from across 32 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, between January
and November 2022. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu