BY AGBELEYE TITILAYO AYOMIDE
The Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving water resource management through strategic policies and programmes.
The agency’s Director-General, Umar Mohammed, made this commitment at a workshop on Monday, December 23, 2024, in Abuja.
The workshop was to validate the draft regional Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer Systems (NB-ITTAS).
Mohammed stated the workshop’s importance in educating stakeholders about improving the management, governance, conservation, and protection of water resources.
“Strengthening water resource management frameworks and institutions in the region will significantly enhance the livelihoods of citizens,” he said.
The NIHSA D-G emphasised the need to boost water resource availability by improving groundwater recharge systems and enhancing existing groundwater extraction facilities.
He also stressed the importance of raising awareness among local stakeholders and building their capacity for the sustainable management and protection of water resources.
“It is essential to ensure that local stakeholders are informed about these issues and equipped to improve water resource management and protection.
“Water resources must be managed efficiently and adaptively by implementing economically viable agricultural practices resilient to climate change,” Muhammed said.
He further said that NIHSA’s capacity was being strengthened for effective quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the region’s water resources.
Prof. Tiegaan Amada, Regional Consultant for the NB-ITTAS Strategic Action Plan, said that the workshop aimed to identify and address gaps in existing water resource policies.
He said that the initiative integrated the management of surface water, groundwater, and related ecosystems to improve water security for the population.
“By analysing policy gaps, this initiative creates an opportunity to introduce strategies that promote the joint management of surface and groundwater resources and associated ecosystems,” Amada said.
The Director of Hydrogeophysics at NIHSA, Mr Stephen Jabo, announced plans to establish an institutional body to manage the shared water resources of the participating countries.
Jabo highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, especially in the Sahelian regions where water scarcity is a critical issue.
“A mechanism will be established to govern and manage shared water resources, encompassing both surface and groundwater systems.
“For Sahelian regions facing acute water scarcity, it is vital for the countries involved to collaborate effectively to manage these limited resources,” he said.
He identified six participating countries; Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, and Mauritania, that are expected to foster regional cooperation for the NB-ITTAS Aquifer System.
Jabo said that each country was dedicated to building a strong knowledge base for shared water resources.
He said that they were also establishing governance frameworks to ensure equitable and sustainable management for current and future generations.
“This workshop aims to facilitate collective commitment among these nations to equitable sharing and sustainable management of joint water resources, benefiting both current and future generations,” he said.
