The development of Nigeria’s Water Resources is encapsulated in the National Water Policy to ensure availability, equitable distribution and conservation of water for domestic and industrial uses, food production, navigation, hydropower and recreational activities.
The concerns on ownership, availability and equitable distribution as well as problems of sustainability and depletion has necessitated renewed attention towards issues of water governance through direct regulation and other policies.
As a universal and constitutional right, the provision of water and sanitation has always been at the centre of every government policies and programme.
For example, there are few policies on water management in Nigeria but one of the policy that is very detailed and elaborate is that of the National Environmental Sanitation Policy, 2005 that addresses a wide range of issues like; management of solid waste, medical waste, food and sanitation at public places, portable water supply, urban drainage management and hygiene education.
Nigeria’s surface water resources is estimated at two hundred and sixty seven billion cubic metres with the ground water put at fifty two billion cubic metres.
However, barely fifteen percent of surface water has been utilized, as the most commonly utilised is the ground water resources such as boreholes and hand dug wells that have become the most important sources of public and private water supply in urban and rural areas.
Despite the huge water resources in the country, it’s development and utilisation has not been able to keep pace with the increase in population growth.
Water Resources represent a major prerequisite and driver of socio-economic development. The economic sectors that water caters for include domestic, agriculture and fisheries, industries, recreation and water transportation. It also plays a prominent role in power and energy generation in Nigeria.
It is based on the aforementioned reasons that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources is created to provide sustainable access to safe and sufficient water that will meet the cultural and socio-economic needs of all Nigerians to enhance public health, food security and poverty reduction,while maintaining the integrity of freshwater ecosystem of the Country.
The Ministry is also saddled with the responsibility of managing water supply, and irrigation and also overseeing all the eleven River Basins Development Authorities in Nigeria.
The current Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly which has generated controversy and was stepped down during the Eight Assembly should be handled with utmost care now that it has been reintroduced in the ninth Assembly considering that most states believe it is a ploy by the Federal government to take over water bodies and hand over same to selected groups in the country.
It is important that all stakeholders involved in water management and land administration in Nigeria particularly the states should be carried along in the process, to allay fears being expressed.
It is on record that over seventy per cent of countries around the world have subscribed to the Integrated Water Resources Management which seeks to promote citizens’ rights and eliminate hindrances to water as an economic resource that helps to empower the people.
There should be an effective policy framework tailored in that direction to ensure proper management, protection and utilisation of water resources.
A concerted effort must be taken at different levels to integrate professionals, technical, administrative and the community for active participation to pave the way for efficient and sustainable management of Nigeria’s water resources.
Write Up/ Innocent Ogbanje