The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Water sector

  • Halt privatization plan in water sector

    Coalition of Civil Society Organisations and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Employees (AUCPTRE) has charged Lagos State government to halt the privatisation plan in the water sector as the money allotted for the sector is being mismanaged.

    Speaking at a press briefing on the state of public water supply in Lagos held at Ogba, Lagos, the State Secretary, AUCPTRE, Comrade Abiodun Bakare, lamented that Lagos residents now groan as a result of shortage of public water and almost no water in some places in the last three months.

    Bakare, who spoke on “Why the water sector in Lagos continues to decline”, revealed that there have been disruptions in many areas such as Bariga, Lawanson, Ojodu, Ketu, Agege, Abule Egba, among others. His words: “The current situation is a deliberate strategy by the management of the Lagos Water Corporation (LWC) to make Lagos residents into believing that the only sustainable way to supply water to Lagos residents is to adopt the much discredited privatisation model of Public Private Partnership (PPP).”

    He further said, “It is disheartening to state that this critical period when countries throughout the world are embracing remunipalisation, Lagos State is spear-heading privatisation.”

    Lending credence to this, the Deputy Director, Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Com. Olufemi Akinbode, said the water corporation in the state is enmeshed in corruption and mismanagement. “Adiyan stated that the work which is designed to produce 70 million gallons of water daily has been down for over three months now. Also, the much celebrated N800 million released by the Lagos State government for the rehabilitation of 48 mini and micro water works was diverted leaving the said water works in even worse state. As we speak, Iju Water Works has been closed since 11th January 2019,” said Akinbode.

     

     

  • Fayemi declares emergency in water sector

    The Governor of Ekiti State,  Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday declared emergency in water sector in a bid to reduce the level of water borne diseases in Ekiti.

    Fayemi who spoke about the deplorable state of the water sector, added  that the people must be saved from preventable illnesses through provision of potable water.

    He promised to take legal and institutional steps to make the state open defecation free before 2030.

    He said the emergency was in tandem with the step taken by President Muhammadu Buhari, who had initiated similar policy under a programme called Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in partnership with the world bank.

    Fayemi spoke in Ikun Ekiti , Moba Local government on Thursday while kicking off the turn around maintenance of Ero Dam and rehabilitation of main transmission pipelines from Ifaki Ekiti to the state capital.

    The project , which will gulp $55 million was awarded to Sagittarius Henan Engineering and is to be completed within 18 months.

    He said the WASH programme of the federal government and world bank  was initiated to reduce amount being paid by Nigerians on hospital bills after contacting all forms of diseases from unhygienic water sources.

    Fayemi said statistics had shown that water supply to urban  cities and rural areas  in the country have reduced by 15  and 4 percent respectively, in spite of geometric increase in the population.

    The governor added that the state had paid a staggering sum of N700m counterpart fund to complete the project that was approved by the world bank in 2014.

    “It was because of the safety of the citizens that the federal government declared emergency in WASH. So, Ekiti has keyed into the programme with this project.

    “ Ekiti was ranked second in Nigeria as state that practice open defecation . We shall put up institutional and legal frameworks to ensure Ekiti is open defecation free before 2030.

    “Part of what accounted for this high practice was because of low water supply to our homes.

    “We are making our traditional rulers as champions that would canvass for open defecation free and if we are going to stop our palaces from digging boreholes here and there, we as government should provide water to our people.

    “ We have done our feasibility studies, 85 percent of our water in Ekiti shall be provided by Ero and Egbe dams if they operate at optimal capacity”, he said.

    The governor assured that affordable tariff will be charged by government and that such will be metred to prevent extortion.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Utilities, Mr Olumide Ajayi, said rehabilitation on Egbe dam located in Gbonyin local government was being co-financed by European Union and Ekiti State.

    Ajayi said the two projects will supply water to over 66 towns across nine local government in the state.

    He admonished  the beneficiaries to be ready to pay affordable tariffs and maintain the facilities when completed.

    The General manager , Ekiti State water corporation, Engr Olabisi Agbeyo, revealed that this is the first time major rehabilitation will be carried out on Ero dam in 33 years.

    “As we speak, Ekiti not owing a kobo as counterpart payment we have paid up and this shows how committed  the state was in water supply”, Agbeyo said.

     

  • 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

  • Refocusing Nigeria’s water sector

    Refocusing Nigeria’s water sector

    Will the new Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman  Adamu deliver? Stakeholders in the sector are curious about what the new man in the helm will do. Adamu, an engineer with enormous working experience in the water-related sector and a Fellow of the Nigeria Society of Engineers was among the ministers who President Muhammadu Buhari picked to man one of the most important but neglected sectors – water, which has led Nigeria to continue to witness decline in sanitation and hygiene.

    The sector under former President Goodluck Jonathan contributed little to national development. Former Minister, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe did little to improve access to water supply despite consistent shout by her that water coverage had peaked at 69 per cent. Nigeria failed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target of 75 per cent access to water supply.

    Nigeria recorded practically no progress in the area of sanitation under the regime. In 1990, 38 per cent of the population had access to improved sanitation, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2015. In 2015, the figure was now a woeful 29 per cent which was up just by 1 per cent from 2014’s figure of 28 per cent.

    “The proportion of Nigeria’s population that has gained access to improved sanitation since 1990 is only 9%,” the report had said. It said that in 1990, 24 per cent of the population was practicing open defecation. That figure in 2015 is now 25 per cent. It added that in 2014, it was 23 per cent which means that Nigeria is not only worse off now than it was 25 years ago but in the past year alone, the country has regressed by 2 per cent in this regard.

    “The goal on sanitation, however, has failed dramatically. At present rates of progress it would take 300 years for everyone in Sub-Saharan Africa to get access to a sanitary toilet,” it stated.

    Thankfully, after a three day retreat held in Abuja with participants drawn from top management of the ministry including heads of agencies, chief executives of Parastatals as well as experts from the private sector as facilitators, the new minister promised to address the issues in the sector.

    While admitting that 52.7 million Nigerians still lacked access to safe water and sanitation, Adamu said: “The impressive report which requires further verification still implies that about 31% or 52.7 million Nigerians are without access to improved drinking water sources.

    “Significantly, the trend reveals that Nigeria has failed to reach the MDG target of 75% for improved water supply coverage by the year 2015. We need to change this trend to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of 100% access to water supply to our citizens by the year 2030.”

    Expatiating, the minister said the retreat was aimed at strengthening weaknesses in the delivery of the ministry’s mandate and to develop a roadmap that would enable a sustainable positive impact in the water sector within a short period based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.

    Expectedly, experts brainstormed on diverse issues on how to make the water resources sector a platform for extensive and all year round agriculture practice for food security, employment, economic restructuring, and diversification from oil to non-oil revenue, hydropower generation, water supply and sanitation improvement.

    Adamu said that government would change the trend to achieve 100 per cent access to water supply to citizens by 2030. According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is desirous of uplifting the lives of Nigerians by improving their socio-economic well-being. He also said that government would harness the hydropower potential of the 14 dams completed to generate 700 megawatts of electricity.

    The minister explained that the hydropower potential of the dams had not been utilised since its completion, adding that government would focus efforts to promptly utilise the potentials of the dams for power generation. Adamu said that government had so far developed 1,930 megawatts (MW) hydropower potential from Kainji, Jebba and Shiroro dams, adding that Nigeria has hydropower potential of about 12,220MW.

    “The hydropower option therefore presents a good potential in the nation’s overall energy mix and security. I have noted that the ministry has completed about 14 dams that have combined hydropower capacity of over 700MW yet to be utilised. I will ensure that we focus efforts to promptly utilise them,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, said that government had observed the challenges faced by the sector, adding that at the end of the retreat, participants would come up with suggestions that would set agenda for the sector.

    Expatiating, Mrs Jimeta said: “It is our hope that the outcome of the retreat will go a long way in setting the right direction for the water sector, harnessing all available resources and synergising all efforts towards better realisation of the ministry’s mandate.

    Interestingly, in the 11 point communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, the participants had recommended that the draft National Water Resources Policy and National Water Resources Bill should be quickly finalised and presented to appropriate authorities for consideration and ascent.

    In the communiqué which reads in part, the participants said: “The ministry should own and fast track the development of the framework for implementation of the revised 2013 master plan.

    “The ministry’s projects should be realistically prioritised and road map developed for four year development plan (2016-2020), considering governments dwindling resources. Furthermore, the procurement Act 2007   should be strictly adhered to.”

  • Lagos promises investment window in water sector

    Lagos promises investment window in water sector

    The Lagos State Government has promised investment opportunities in the Nigerian Water Sector to put the country on track in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) target year 2015, Vision 2020 and African Water Vision 2025.

    Lagos Water Corporation Managing Director Muminu Badmus made this disclosure while meeting the United Kingdom Trade and Investment in Nigeria.

    Badmus, an engineer said water sector is critical to the hydropower for electricity generation, industrial production and human well being.

    According to him, the road map in Nigerian Water Reformed Programme is designed to address issue relating to accessibility of water supply which is divided into three phases, short term, medium term and long term to be implemented between 2011 and 2025.

    He attributed challenges facing water agencies to aging infrastructure, funds for maintenance, poor customer records, poor cost recovery, poor power supply, capital building constraints and developing infrastructure to meet increasing population.

  • ‘Make investment in water sector profitable’

    ‘Make investment in water sector profitable’

    Michael Ale is the National President Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP). In this interview with TAYO JOHNSON, the former governor of World Water Council says he is committed to ensuring production of quality water for human consumption. 

    How would you describe the water situation in the country?

    Development of water resources in Nigeria cannot be described as sustainable. This is because we have considered one aspect of growth without due consideration to the essentials of growth which include competitiveness and inclusiveness.

    Management is also a critical aspect of growth. The reason for setbacks in the water sector is that we concentrate more on water resources development without necessary framework to sustain such growth. We have witnessed tremendous development in the past years because every government has responsibility to provide water for its citizens. But the main development framework has not been designed to meet the expected targets.

    How much do you think Nigeria loses annually as a result of lack of commitment to develop the water resources?

    Government has been investing in water resources, but the investment has been uncoordinated, improper and non-profitable. Annually, Nigeria loses billions of Naira due to lack of proper coordination of her water resources. Inappropriate concept, development, implementation, monitoring and management of any water project leads to financial loss.

    If such amount expended in constructing water infrastructure which is later abandoned is made accessible to the poor in terms of empowerment or poverty alleviation, it will solve a lot of problems. Most of our dams are not well managed. As a result of this negligence, Nigeria loses so much. This results from lack of leadership direction.

    If fully tapped into, how much jobs do you think can be created in the sector?

    If all policy instruments available to the Ministry of Water Resources such as National Water Resources Master Plan, (NWRMP), Code of Practice for Borehole Driller (CoP), Water Investment Mobilisation and Application Guideline, (WIMAG) etc, are well harnessed and put in perspective, the water sector can create both direct and indirect job opportunities for a large number of Nigerians.

    In the drilling sub-sector alone, the value chain of operation can provide over 50,000 jobs if the code of practice is fully harnessed. Provision of drilling equipment (rigs) and accessories for practices in the universities will create another 20,000 jobs.

    Compared to other developing countries, how is the water sector fairing in Nigeria?

    We are not doing badly. What is required to bring us back on track is the right leadership. From the last statistical information by the National Bureau of Statistics, access coverage for water supply is over 54 per cent while about 48 per cent has access to sanitation which is not bad enough considering the current situation of lack of information.

    But the current national water supply and sanitation data base update (NWSSDU) being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources under the National Urban Water Sector Reform Programme (NUWSRP) (World Bank-Assisted), will give the true reflection of our current status

    In the light of this, we can measure performance using the layman’s tactics such as how many cases of diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery and shistosomiasis are recorded yearly? These are water-related diseases which result from lack of safe water.

    With good leadership we can do better. In Nigeria, anybody, as long as you have money, can buy a drilling machine and start drilling.

    Is your organisation into any collaboration with government or its agencies in carrying out your work?

    No collaboration so far, except that the role has been given to us without proper action plan.

    Are you partnering with international organisations to train practitioners and keep them in tune with international best practices?

    Our sister organisation in the United States (US) National Ground Water Association (NGWA) plans to organise a training mission for members of our association. They will be visiting Nigeria very soon and members will be taken through some course modules within the tenet of the profession.

     

  • ‘Water sector reform will improve service delivery’

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe yesterday said ongoing water sector reforms by the Federal Government will improve service delivery.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the Ministry’s Christian Staff Fellowship Chapel in Abuja, she said the government is already working hard to ensure the swift completion of all ongoing projects to boost access to water.

    She said: “Our desire is that Nigerians should have 100 per cent access to water supply. “And those projects that we are constructing will be properly completed and put into effective use and I believe that with God on our side, we will surely succeed.

    “Water projects are expensive. The Federal Government is aware of this. And that is why in 2013 President Goodluck Jonathan convened a Presidential Summit on water to discuss alternative sources of funding for the water sector.

    “We have to look outside normal government budget; we have to begin to think of the private sector. We have to think of other tiers of government to put in more into water.

    “We also have to engage with our development partners to see that they commit more of their country’s portfolio towards the development of water resources and many of them are assisting us with reforms in the water sector.

    “This, we believe is going to help us when we reform the sector and are able to provide efficient and effective services in 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  And when people pay their tariff, it will help us to maintain the facilities.”