A legislation that will ensure that people who pollute water in Nigeria are held accountable and charged to court is underway.
Head of Department Geography Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai Niger state Professor Sheikh Danjuma Abubakar stated this while presenting a paper on this years World Rivers Day held at Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority in Maikunkele.
Prof Danjuma Abubakar appealed to the Federal Government to accept the legislation that will ensure that people do not pollute rivers in Nigeria and that any person who engage in that negative act is dealt with decisively to serve as deterrent to others.
According to him there is the need for Nigerians to see and consider rivers as living entity in such a way that certain natural characteristics of rivers cannot be stopped.
Prof Danjuma Abubakar however said they include the ability to flow and be free of pollution to feed and be fed as well as to perform essential system within the eco system without any hinderance.
Niger state Deputy Governor Ahmed Mohammed Ketso represented by the state Commissioner of Water Resources and Dams Development Alh Yusuf Suleiman the Deputy Governor assured Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority of governments continued support to succeed at all times.
Managing Director Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority Prof Mohammed Ali said Nigeria is no longer a poor water country since it has gone above the initial bench mark.
Represented by the Executive Director Planning and Design Alh Suleiman Junaidu Prof Mohammed Ali called for the encouragement of private sector to redouble efforts on investing on water to achieve maximum results.
Niger state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism Mrs Rifkatu Adamu Chidawa described this years theme Rights of Rivers as timely and appropriate inview of its importance to overall development of humanity.
A boat regatta where the fishing community display their God giving talent on canoe was part of side atraction during the celebration.
Cov Aliyu Lawal/Minna