By Tosin Kolade

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), has pledged to strengthen the management of surface and groundwater resources for the benefit of the Nigerian population.

NIHSA’s Director General, Umar Mohammed, made this commitment at the National Regional Action Plan (RAP) Validation Workshop on the Niger Basin Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezerouft Aquifer Systems (NB-ITTAS) in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by Mrs Awoibi Joe-Ukairo, Deputy Director of Hydro-Geophysics, Mohammed stated that the workshop aims to address strategic goals for enhancing regional water governance and sustainability.

He noted that the workshop marks a major step toward achieving sustainable water management and fostering cross-border collaboration for environmental resilience.

According to him, key objectives include enhancing knowledge and monitoring of the ITTAS aquifer, promoting cooperative governance, and encouraging sustainable groundwater use.

“Additionally, strengthening climate resilience, ensuring funding, providing training, and integrating communication and gender considerations across RAP activities are crucial priorities.

“The RAP identifies 74 preliminary actions across five strategic areas: Knowledge and Monitoring; Cooperative Governance and Solidarity; Sustainable Development and Groundwater Protection.

“Others are Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change; and Resource Mobilisation, Training, Communication, and Gender.

“Our commitment to these actions is vital to sustainably managing our water resources, essential for community wellbeing,” said Mohammed.

He commended the dedication of the Inter-Ministerial Committee members and acknowledged the contributions of Dr Sauret Serge, the project consultant, along with online participants.

Mr Stephen Jabo, Director of Hydro-Geophysics with NIHSA, revealed Nigeria’s partnerships with UNESCO and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to enhance groundwater monitoring and isotope analysis capabilities.

“These collaborations have advanced Nigeria’s understanding of water resources, though the country still relies on external laboratories for isotope studies on groundwater renewal, pollution tracing, and water age”.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has invested in a mass spectrometer intended for the Centre for Energy Research and Training in Zaria, saying security concerns have delayed its installation.

“This challenge has spurred discussions on acquiring a new spectrometer to establish domestic isotope analysis capabilities, which would benefit Nigeria and neighboring West African countries.

“While the Niger Basin Authority manages surface water in the Niger Basin, groundwater resources, such as the Sokoto Basin, lack an equivalent oversight body”.

Jabo also addressed Nigeria’s role in the Sahel transboundary water resource project, which involves 11 countries focused on shared water governance.

He stressed the need for a regional institution to manage shared aquifers, coordinated by the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, to mitigate risks from pollution and over-extraction across borders.

Mr Sunday Hussaini, Consultant for the IAEA Sahel Project in the Sokoto Basin, outlined groundwater challenges, such as limited rainfall often below 600mm annually near the Nigeria-Niger border and high evaporation rates.

“Increasing reliance on groundwater for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, combined with the lack of regulation, has led to declining water levels, further exacerbated by climate change and drought”.

Hussaini recommended that septic tanks should not be constructed near public water sources to prevent contamination.

He also called on state governments to regulate groundwater usage, implement integrated water resource management, and conserve free-flowing wells for local development. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru