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Tag: Minister of Water Resources

  • Proprietors of shopping malls, petrol stations to provide public convenience – Minister

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, says proprietors of petrol stations and shopping malls will soon get a directive to provide public convenience so as to discourage open defecation in and around their premises.

    Adamu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that the directive would help in curtailing indiscriminate open defecation, noting that it is sad that many of such facilities lack toilets for public use.

    He said the implications of poor Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) affect the economy, health, education, child development and loss of dignity.

    According to him, there have been reports of persons getting bitten by snakes while defecating in the bushes and that women were especially the hardest hit. “When women and men go to the bush, they are vulnerable to attacks, they are vulnerable to snake bites and other brutal attacks.

    “If you go to places such as Kaltungo, where they have a lot of snake bites happening because people go out to defecate in the open, and they get into trouble with reptiles,” he said.

    The minister said the Federal Government had developed and inaugurated a National Open Defecation Roadmap and the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme are actions taken to tackle the menace.

    He said the development of a National WASH action plan led to the declaration of a state of emergency in the water and sanitation sector, with a strong commitment to end open defecation by 2025.

    Adamu added that next steps included the implementation of the National proposal to end open defecation, saying the campaigns required leadership and commitment at the highest policy level.

    READ ALSO: Pastor, eight others jailed for open defecation

    “We need Presidential backing and for Mr. President to personally launch this programme at a very convenient time, that is the ‘Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet Campaign’ is a demonstration of commitment,” the minister.

    Adamu noted that the strategy to be implemented would be the formulation of a WASH Fund, which would not rely on budgetary allocations alone, but private-sector driven.

    He said partnership was ongoing with Procter and Gamble, Coca Cola and Reckitt Beckister, among others, with leverage on Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) and support, stressing the imperative of inter-ministerial collaboration.

    NAN recalls that the Federal Executive Council meeting had approved the launch of a campaign aimed at ending open defecation in the country.

    The minister said the annual budget of N10.6 billion will be needed for a nation-wide campaign.

    “Mr President himself will launch the Clean Nigeria campaign on a date to be decided. The campaign is called ‘Clean Nigeria, Use The Toilet.’

    “The President and other members of the Federal Executive Council are to become the first set of ambassadors for the campaign by providing the needed leadership and commitment for the successful implementation of the campaign.

    “We also hope to create a clean Nigerian environment and harmonise ministerial activities so that we have a seamless approach and seamless policies regarding sanitation in the country.

    “We requested for an annual budget of about N10.6billion to be approved. This money will not be taken out of the annual budget alone.

    “We will also have contributions from development partners from the corporate world including Corporate Social Responsibility funds and grants,” he said.

    NAN

     

  • FG hands over N3.85bn Esan Water Project to Edo Govt

    President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government has handed over to the Edo State Government, the completed Northern Esan Water Project, in Ugboha, Esan South East Local government area of the state.

    The project estimated to have cost N3.85 billion, can generate two million gallons or nine million liters of water per day.

    Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, who led a Federal Government delegation, which included Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to the state, said the delegation was in the state to hand over completed projects to the Edo State government.

    Engr. Suleiman said he participated in the conception of the project in 1997, when he worked as a consultant to the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), which was then led by current President, Muhammadu Buhari. He noted that lack of fund stalled the project, until it was revived by the present administration.

    “We have finished our intervention programme and we are here today to hand over the project to the Edo State Government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki”.

    He expressed satisfaction and confidence in the quality of job done and hoped that the agencies in charge of the scheme would do a good job to ensure its sustainability.

    Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki expressed gratitude to the President Buhari-led administration for the uncommon gesture to the people of the state and Esan land, in particular.

    Read Also:Second Niger Bridge main project to gulp N210 billion

    He explained that access to potable water was a major challenge in Esan land and thanked the President for coming to the aid of the people, promising that his administration will do all it can to ensure the project benefits the people.

    “I want to assure you that as a progressive government, we align with the water policies of the Federal Government. We have been following your policy guideline to strengthen water reforms in Edo State,” the governor said.

    Obaseki disclosed that a bill to set up small town and rural water projects in the state has been passed by the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), noting that the state government has trained communities to set up their own water associations.

    He added that his administration is restructuring its urban water board. “I want to assure you that this scheme will be sustained. This is part of our plan to ensure water in all parts of Esan land.”

    The governor said his administration is working with the Niger Delta support programme, supported by the European Union (EU) to provide water, adding “We have paid 700 million naira as our counterpart fund and the EU is providing about two to three billion. We expect that all these investments will provide water in Esan land and other parts of the state.”

  • Nigeria’s agricultural revolution on course, says Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Auyo, Jigawa State, said that Nigeria’s agricultural revolution is real and on course.

    He spoke at an event marking the commencement of the rehabilitation and expansion of the 6,000-hectare Hadejia Valley irrigation project in the state.

    President Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also assured Nigerians that his administration would sustain the positive momentum in the sector by implementing the right policies and providing the needed financial resources for people-oriented projects.

    The President, who is in Jigawa State for a two-day working visit, expressed delight that the Federal Government’s economic diversification and inclusive growth programmes were yielding positive results, particularly in key food-producing states.

    He applauded the World Bank’s assistance to the project, which when completed would increase water availability for all-season farming in the State and beyond.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu explained that works on the Phase One of the project which started in the early eighties during the administration of President Shehu Shagari and received some funding under the Petroleum Special Trust Fund had suffered frequent abandonment due to lack of funds.

    Adamu said with N9.6 billion allocated under the $495 million World Bank-assisted Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project in five different irrigation locations in  Nigeria, the project would be completed by 2021.

    ‘‘By the time the project is finished in three years, there would be about 6,000 hectares of farmland and the Jigawa State Government also plans to key into the project that will benefit over 25,000 farmers,’’ the Minister said.

    In Jigawa, the President commissioned the 42-kilometre Tasheguwa-Guri Road and the 32-kilometre Abunabo-Kadira-Guri road constructed by the State government to facilitate easier movement and evacuation of farm produce.

    President Buhari also commissioned the 250,000 solar- powered water supply scheme.

    The project is one out of nine of such projects which will add nine million litres to daily water supply in Dutse and environs.

    Read Also:Buhari seeks reform of UN, AU conventions on repatriation of stolen assets

  • Population explosion, climate change causing water crisis – FG

    The Federal Government on Thursday blamed the poor water supply in the country on population explosion and climate change.

    The government noted that access to clean water and sanitation facilities had declined because of increased population growth.

    Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, who stated these at a symposium to commemorate the 2018 World Water Day in Abuja, noted that it was sad that despite abundant water resources, water supply coverage remained at 57 per cent.

    The figures, he noted, showed that the remaining 93 per cent of Nigerians get water from other sources.

    The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Musa Ibrahim, said millions of Nigerians especially those living in the rural areas were still without access to improved drinking water sources.

    He said: “The provision of water infrastructures is capital intensive, hence the need for a concerted effort by all stakeholders to overcome the challenges in the water sector.

    “Statistics have shown over the years that with the rapid increase in population growth, access to clean drinking water and sanitation steadily declines.

    “A lot of factors contribute to the water crises, such as climate change, poor management and a lot more, the most incriminating is the neglect of our ecosystem. This has resulted in environmental damages such as floods, droughts, water pollution among others.

    “A worrying challenge is the declining percentage of Nigerians that are getting that water supply through piped networks, from 31 percent in 1990 to less than 7 percent in 2017.

    The crisis, he said, had forced many to drilling of boreholes with resultant consequences on the environment in urban areas and fetching of unclean water from streams and river in rural areas.

    The minister noted that the federal government was committed towards formulating and implementing policies and programmes that would enable sustainable access to safe and sufficient water for all Nigerians.

    Earlier in his remarks, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Representative, Mr. Simone Grego, said question is drinking water resources was one of the major issues of the century globally.

    Me. Grego, who quoted a UN World Water Development Report, said globally, 3.6 billion people live in potentially water-scarce areas, saying this figure could rise to 5 billion by 2050, if nothing was done.

    He also noted that 80 per cent of waste water returns to the ecosystem without been treated, stressing that these developments were leading to degradation of the ecosystems causing ecological imbalances and water scarcity.

    He called for urgent solutions that would protect, manage and restore natural ecosystems that would respond to the human and ecological challenges currently faced.

    He said: “Planting new forests, reconnecting rivers to flood plains and restoring wetlands are Solutions that will address contemporary water management issues.”

    He pledged the commitment of UNESCO to support government’s transition to green economies and in programmes to implement better integrated water policies.

    WaterAid Country Director, Dr Chichi Okoye, said the SDG six commits the world to ensure that everyone had safe water by 2030, saying protecting the natural environment and reducing water pollution is imperative.

    She urged the Nigerian Government to prioritise water and sanitation by improving budget allocations to the sector.

    Okoye said: “The dire situation needs the highest level of government’s attention, especially in delivering water for the poorest and most marginalised people.

    “In addition to financing, we need an integrated approach to solving the water crises where water, sanitation and hygiene needs are integrated into health, education, nutrition and gender equality.

    “Without water, none of the UN Global Goals can be met.”

    Read Also: FG blames water shortage on population growth, climate change

  • FG inaugurates Committee to implement Water Resources master plan

    FG inaugurates Committee to implement Water Resources master plan

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, on Friday inaugurated a 14-member Policy Advisory Committee to help in implementing the National Water Resources Master plan.

    At the event in Abuja, Adamu said the committee became necessary considering the nation’s diverse and economic water resources which needed coordinated and integrated management.

    According to him, continuous growth in population, urban migration, varied and increase in water demand requires well researched policies and effective planning.

    “The Policy Advisory Committee shall advise the Minister of water resources concerning local and international developments in the water sector including the implementation of the National Water Resources Master Plan.

    “They are to advise on climate change issues, Water Law and Policy implementation, Transboundary Water Issues, tracking of National Council on Water Resources decisions. ”

    Adamu expressed hope that with the combined wealth of experience of the committee members, they would be able to meet the target before them.

    He also expressed hope that the National Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly would be passed into law towards effective management of the water resources potential of the country.

    The minister urged the members to brainstorm of what could be done to change the narrative of the water resources sector in the country, adding that Federal Government was more committed to improve the lives of all Nigerians.

    The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Suleiman Mustapha, pledged the commitment of the team to actively engage between themselves towers better water resources management and integration.

    READ ALSO: ‘Why Solid Minerals Fund was restructured’

    Mustapha said the Terms of Reference highlights the urgent issues of the water resources sector, citing the issues of climate change, Lake chad receding, adding that concerted efforts was needed to reverse the trend.

    “It’s an onerous task that must be done, We must shun every dishonesty and ensure that the targeted goal is met.

    “Water resources over the years have not been given the necessary attention, with this committee in place, we will go forward.”

    Another committee member, Mr Michael Adesina, said it was saddening to note that Water resources development has not been given priority of attention, saying more commitment was needed from all stakeholders to move the sector forward.

    He cited the 2012 floods which saw some villages washed away due to the inability of the Benue basin to to accommodate the water.

    He added that there was the need to keep the momentum high on the importance of water resources as it affects health, socio-economic development.

    “If you go round the cities, no less than 50 per cent of hospital attendance and admission are as a result of water borne disease, we need to keep talking about these issues. ”

    Others members of the committee are Prof. Ben Nwachukwu, Prof. Lekan Oyebande, Nurudeen Rafindadi, Dr Dauda Gowon, James Obong-Bassey and Musa Ibrahim.

    Others are Dr Emmanuel Adanu, Tanwa Koya, Garba Iliya among others.

    NAN

  • FEC okays N1.712 billion for FCT water pipeline contractor 

    FEC okays N1.712 billion for FCT water pipeline contractor 

    The Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) meeting on Wednesday approved the payment of N1.712 billion for the contractor, SCC, which was maintaining 75 kilometer pipeline supplying water to the Federal Government.

    The Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the contractor remained on site maintaining the pipelines for over nine years without settlement.

    He disclosed that his Ministry and the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will settle the N1.712 billion equally.

     

    Details Later…

  • FG to complete 21 other dams, irrigation projects by 2019

    FG to complete 21 other dams, irrigation projects by 2019

    Apart from the Gurara hydropower plant, Kashimbila hydropower plant, Gurara II, Lokoja and Dasin hausa, which has either been completed, about to be completed or in talks with potential investors.

    The Federal Government is poised to complete seven other ongoing water supply projects and twenty one dams and irrigation projects between 2018 and 2019.

    FG is also in advanced discussions with potential investors for the Gurara II, Lokoja and Dasin hausa hydropower projects, which when completed will produce a combined 1,250MW electricity to the national grid.

    Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu made this disclosure in Abuja, while presenting the two years score card of his ministry.

    He added that at his resumption of office, his ministry agreed to prioritize the 116 uncompleted or abandoned major projects he had met and deploy resources towards completing and commissioning all high and medium priority projects from 2016 to 2019.

    His words .” We have concluded a Technical Audit and prioritized. the hitherto uncompleted or abandoned 116 major projects that I met in the Ministry. We are deploying most of our resources towards completing and commissioning all the high and medium priority projects from 2016 – 2019. It is in this regard that we have completed and commissioned Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa State. It is also my pleasure to inform this gathering that the following projects have also been completed and are ready for commissioning:

    “Northern Ishan Regional Water Supply Project, Edo State We have concluded a Technical Audit and prioritized. the hitherto uncompleted or abandoned 116 major projects that I met in the Ministry. We are deploying most of our resources towards completing and commissioning all the high and medium priority projects from 2016 – 2019. It is in this regard that we have completed and commissioned Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa State. It is also my pleasure to inform this gathering that the following projects have also been completed and are ready for commissioning:

    “Northern Ishan Regional Water Supply Project, Edo State rehabilitation of Ojirami Dam Water Supply Project, Edo State. Kashimbiia Dam, Taraba State. Ogwashi-Uku Dam, Delta State.

    “Two (2) other projects: Shagari and Barikin Ladi Irrigation Projects will be completed in early 2018. Our plan is to complete 7 other ongoing Water Supply Projects and 21 Dam and Irrigation Projects between 2018 and 2019, including the following: Water Supply Projects, Inyishi Water Supply Project, Ekeremor Water Supply Project, Sabke/Dutsi/Mashi Water Supply Projects, Zobe Water Supply Project, Mangu Water Supply Project.

    “Dam & Irritation Projects. Middle Ogun Irrigation Project, Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, Gari Irrigation Project, Kontagora Auna Dam Project, Bagwai Irrigation Project,Tada Shonga Irrigation Project, Adani Rice Irrigation Project, Ekuku Dam Project, Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, Ile-Ife Dam Project, Zauro Polder Irrigation Project and Otukpo Multipurpose Dam Project.

    ” Our Roadmap identified Dams with Hydro Power potential for Development and we have been in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing (FMWPH) to that effect.

    “We are currently making progress for the concessioning of the 30MW Gurara Hydropower plant which is planned to come into full operation by mid 2018. We are also progressing on our collaboration with FMWPH to concession the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant recently completed. In addition, we are in advanced discussions with potential investors for other hydropower projects including Gurara II (350MW), Lokoja (750MW) and Basin Hausa (150MW).

    “With 1,800m3/Capita/year of available renewable water resources, Nigeria is not a water poor country. However, there are some regions that are water stressed. We are making effort to proffer We have concluded a Technical Audit and prioritized. the hitherto uncompleted or abandoned 116 major projects that I met in the Ministry. We are deploying most of our resources towards completing and commissioning all the high and medium priority projects from 2016 – 2019. It is in this regard that we have completed and commissioned Central Ogbia Regional Water Supply Project in Bayelsa State. It is also my pleasure to inform this gathering that the following projects have also been completed and are ready for commissioning:

    a. Northern Ishan Regional Water Supply Project, Edo State

    Rehabilitation of Ojirami Dam Water Supply Project, Edo State. Kashimbiia Dam, Taraba State. Ogwashi-Uku Dam, Delta State.

    “Two (2) other projects: Shagari and Barikin Ladi Irrigation Projects will be completed in early 2018. Our plan is to complete 7 other ongoing Water Supply Projects and 21 Dam and Irrigation Projects between 2018 and 2019, including the following: Water Supply Projects, Inyishi Water Supply Project, Ekeremor Water Supply Project, Sabke/Dutsi/Mashi Water Supply Projects, Zobe Water Supply Project, Mangu Water Supply Project.

    “Dam & Irritation Projects. Middle Ogun Irrigation Project, Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, Gari Irrigation Project, Kontagora Auna Dam Project, Bagwai Irrigation Project,Tada Shonga Irrigation Project, Adani Rice Irrigation Project, Ekuku Dam Project, Lower Anambra Irrigation Project, Ile-Ife Dam Project, Zauro Polder Irrigation Project and Otukpo Multipurpose Dam Project

    “Our Roadmap identified Dams with Hydro Power potential for Development and we have been in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing (FMWPH) to that effect.

    “We are currently making progress for the concessioning of the 30MW Gurara Hydropower plant which is planned to come into full operation by mid 2018. We are also progressing on our collaboration with FMWPH to concession the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant recently completed. In addition, we are in advanced discussions with potential investors for other hydropower projects including Gurara II (350MW), Lokoja (750MW) and Basin Hausa (lSOMW).

    “With 1,800m3/Capita/year of available renewable water resources, Nigeria is not a water poor country. However, there are some regions that are water stressed. We are making effort to proffer solutions to the water stressed regions in Chad Basin and other related areas like the Komadugu-Yobe basin. Under the present Administration, the Lake Chad environmental challenges have been brought to the attention of the international community as the major cause of the security crisis in North-Eastern Nigeria.

    “The Ministry has also championed the signing of an MOU between the Lake Chad Basin Commission and a Chinese company, who are presently undertaking further feasibility study on the proposed Interbasin Water Transfer Project from the Congo River into the Lake Chad. Furthermore, in an effort to arrive at the best solution in saving the Lake Chad, an International Conference on the Lake is now scheduled to hold in Abuja from 26th -28tln February, 2018 in collaboration with LCBC and UNESCO.

    “In addition, the Ministry has completed the engineering design and is set to commence in 2018 the Hawal Inter-Basin Transfer from River Hawal to River Ngadda. Phase 1 of the project is to augment water supply to Alau Dam so as to provide more sustainable source of water supply to Maiduguri and environs. Phase 2 of the project aims to resuscitate the 60,000Ha South Chad Irrigation Scheme, which became moribund following continuous drying up of Lake Chad over the years.”

  • 13 major water projects ready for inauguration in early 2018 – Minister

    13 major water projects ready for inauguration in early 2018 – Minister

    The Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, says 13 major water projects will be inaugurated in early 2018 to boost water supply, agriculture and hydro electric power generation.

    He said this on Friday in Abuja at a news conference to mark two years of his administration of the ministry.

    Adamu listed the projects as northern Ishan regional water supply project and Ojirami Dam in Edo, Kashimbilla Dam in Taraba and Ogwashi-Uku Dam in Delta, among others.

    He said that the Shagari and Barkin Ladi irrigation projects in Sokoto and Plateau states were part of the projects.

    He also said that Inyishi water supply project, Ekeremor, Sabke/Dutsi/Mashi water projects as well as Zobe and Mangu water projects would also be ready for inauguration early next year.

    “We have concluded a technical audit and prioritised the hitherto uncompleted or abandoned 116 major projects which we met in the ministry.

    “We are deploying most of our resources toward the completion and inauguration of all the high and medium priority projects from 2016 to 2019.

    “It is in this regard that we have completed and inaugurated Central Ogbia regional water supply project in Bayelsa State, while looking forward to inaugurating others in early 2018,” he said.

    To reposition the ministry for effective service delivery, the minister said that reorganisation and manpower review of the ministry had been concluded.

    Adamu said that the measure was to facilitate the redeployment of some technical personnel in the ministry to achieve the objectives for its establishment.

    He said that the restructuring of other key departments of the ministry was underway so as to enhance the technical and professional competence of the ministry.

    The minister said that the National Irrigation Development Programme was launched to facilitate the economic diversification plans of the Federal Government, while promoting food security and creating employment in the country,

    On sanitation, Adamu decried the menace of open defecation in the country, adding, however, that this could be attributed to the lack of water supply in some areas.

    He, therefore, pledged the ministry’s sustained collaboration with development partners to make the country “Open Defecation Free (ODF)’’ by 2025.

    “Only recently we celebrated the first local government area to be declared open defecation free in Obaniku Local Government Area (LGA) in Cross River State.

    “More LGAs are now ready for ODF certification after necessary verification procedures have been undertaken,’’ he said.

    Besides, the minister said that the Federal Government had, in the last two years, made efforts to revitalise River Basin Development Authorities across the nation so as to boost agricultural production in the country.

    Adamu said that the ministry, under his supervision, had brought the environmental challenges facing Lake Chad to the attention of the international community.

    He added that the ministry had championed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Chinese company, which was currently undertaking further feasibility studies of Lake Chad.

  • ‘Reconstitute Ero Dam board’

    Piqued by the failure of the Minister of Water Resources Sulaiman Adamu Kazaure to reconstitute the board of Ero Dam and Lake in Ekiti State, an octogenarian and Atoye of Ado-Ekiti, Chief S. B Falegan has urged the minister to, as a matter of urgency, reconstitute the Ero Dam Board.

    In a letter dated October 2, this year, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, Chief Falegan said he was “reluctantly compelled” to write the minister on the issue because it was a matter that bothered him.

    In the letter entitled “Reminder on the need to reconstitute Ero Dam Board”, Falegan said: “On the eve of the departure of Mr. President for medical vacation in London, he, at your recommendation, approved the composition of the Boards of River Basin Authorities.”

    The River Basin Authorities the approval for the composition of their boards was approved, he said, were the Anambra–Imo River Basin Development Authority, Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, Chad Basin Development Authority, Cross River Basin Development Authority, Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, Low Niger River Basin Development Authority, Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority and Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority.

    He noted that after the approval for the reconstitution of the Boards of River Basin Authorities, he drew the attention of Mr President, through the Minister, to the exclusion of Ero Dam and Lake in Ekiti State covering 11 kilometers as one of the largest water/irrigation projects in Nigeria if not the largest.

    He said: “I quickly drew the attention of Mr. President, through you, for the non-inclusion of Ero Dam and Lake in Ekiti State covering 11 kilometers as one of the largest water/irrigation projects in Nigeria if not the largest.

    “The President should, as a matter of urgency, constitute a River Basin Authority for Ekiti State and name its board immediately”

    Chief Falegan said he hought Mr. President’s absence from the country might have been responsible for the inability to constitute the board and might have prevented him from seeing my petition, even as he maintained that it is unfortunate if any board was constituted more than six months ago and is not functioning/or inaugurated.

    The former Director Research, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), urged the minister to expedite action on the constitution of the board of Ero Dam. To make this realisable and workable, octogenarian made some recommendations to the minister on those he believed would make the board achieve its goal.Those he recommended to the minister as plausible members of the board of Ero Dam are Prof. Olubode Olumuyiwa Ajayi, an Analytical Chemist at the Federal University of Technology, Akure and who hails from Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Rev’d Cannon (Dr) Adeyinka Fasakin, an Industrial Chemist at the Ekiti State University, Ado from Ikole-Ekiti, Prof. Rotimi Falegan, Plant Micro-Biologist at the Ekiti State University, Ado who hails from Ado-Ekiti, Associate Prof. (Mrs) Akintayo, a Bio-Chemist at the Federal University of Technology, Oye-Ekiti and hails from Omu-Ekiti, Alhaji (Dr) Sikiru Eniola, (Reader) Religious Studies at the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti from Ado-Ekiti and Chief Paul Olatunde Alabi, an Agronomist and former Finance Director, Federal Ministry of Finance and Former Deputy Governor Ekiti State from Ijesa-Isu-Ekiti.

    On why the board of the Ero Dam should be constituted, the former Managing Director, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and author of the book, My Yesteryear said the Ero Dam is good for irrigation, commercial farming, commercial fishing; erosion control, supply of drinkable water, hydro-electric power generation and water control research purposes.

    In the circumstances, those I recommended here “are professionally qualified and whose talents have been virtually under-utilised, un-utilised and mis-utilised.

    “You will find all the above named very useful for the development of River Basins, particularly now that meteorologists are advocating the construction of more dams across the nation, in case the authorities in Niger Republic where River Niger emanates from decide to dam the river which can cause a lot of crisis for the country,” Chief Falegan concluded.

    He can be reached through e-mail: Samuelbandele.falegan@yahoo.com and Tel: 08023942250 

     

  • FG to consider legislation against open defecation – Minister

    FG to consider legislation against open defecation – Minister

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, says that the Federal Government is considering legislation against open defecation in the country.

    Adamu said this on Tuesday at an Inter-Ministerial Dialogue on Sanitation in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said a large number of Nigerians still practice open defecation due to the failure of landlords to provide toilets in their buildings.

    According to him, such laws will go a long way to address those who indiscriminately defecate in the open, forgetting that faeceas are transferable to foods and water.

    “We are looking at having a legislation to punish those practicing open defecation, this is important because it will serve as deterent to others and also encourage everyone to build and use their toilets.”

    He called on all Nigerians to promote behavior change in hygiene promotion, saying those practicing open defecation may soon face sanctions.

    The minister noted that open defecation has been known to be the leading cause of preventable deaths in under five children.

    He said there was the need to move away from dependence on budgetary allocations for promoting hygiene, saying Nigerians ought to understand that promoting health and hygiene is a great way to reduce disease burden.

    The minister noted that the understanding of the crosscutting role of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector and its impact on other sectors has made it imperative to foster a strong mechanism to address sanitation issues.

    Adamu reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to improve hygiene through the inauguration of the Partnership for Extended Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Nigeria to encourage stakeholders step up advocacy to promote improved livelihood.

    Dr Priscilla Achakpa, National Coordinator, Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) said no fewer than 46 million Nigerians practice open defecation.

    He said that children of the poor were four times more likely to get diarrhoea as against those of the rich.

    According to him, there is the need for all stakeholders to see sanitation as everyone’s business.

    “It is a cross sectoral issue that affects the social economic, health, wellbeing of individuals.”

    Achakpa said there was the need to build capacity of women, girls and other stakeholders on menstrual hygiene management and promotion of separate toilets for boys and girls to enable girls increase school attendance.

    Mr Emmanuel Awe, Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation with the ministry, said measures were on to harmonise the National Sanitation Policy towards overall hygiene promotion.

    Awe urged ministries to have separate budget line for promoting sanitation policies and programmes towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. (NAN)