Water Sector Stakeholders Charged To Maximise Groundwater For Equitable Use

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources Engr Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE FAeng has charged every member of the Water Sector, the State Water Agencies, River Basins, Development Partners and Non- Governmental Organizations to maximize the potentials of groundwater and make it more visible and valuable for all users.

Engr Adamu who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack mni, stated this at the symposium organized to celebrate the 2022 World Water Day with the theme” Groundwater: making the Invisible visible”, held on Tuesday 22nd March in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the DD Press and Public Relations Unit, FMWR, Funmi Imuetinyan, a copy of which was made available to the Spectacles on Wednesday, 13th March, 2022.

The Minister notes that due to the Invisible nature of Groundwater, the resource is frequently undervalued, insufficiently understood and consequently poorly managed.

He informed the participants that World Water Day was a date set aside to raise awareness of over 2 billion people currently living without access to clean and safe water, and to inspire action towards SDG-6 Water and Sanitation for all by 2030.

Speaking further, the Honourable Minister explained that groundwater has a huge impact on the Nigerian economy because of its use for domestic, agricultural and industrial supplies.

According to the Minister ” an estimated 60% of Nigerian population depend on Groundwater for their main drinking source, while over 70% of the people living in rural communities in Nigeria depend on this important source of water for survival”

Engr Adamu revealed that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has drilled and instrumented over 70 groundwater monitoring Wells across the major aquifers of the country in other to assess and manage groundwater resources of the country.

He added that a groundwater assessment strategy is being developed to chart a clear direction in the management of the nation’s groundwater resource, consolidate on achievements and give a clear direction in the management of the resource

Earlier in her address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack mni who was represented by the Director Special Duties of the Ministry, Mr Peter Nwankpa, stated that Groundwater is an integral part of the water cycle and a vital resource that must be collectively managed.

The Permanent Secretary stated that in line with the theme of 2022 World Water Day, the ministry and its Agencies are working judiciously towards ensuring a sustainable management of the nation’s groundwater to meet the needs of Nigerian population.

Highpoint of the celebration was the presentation of 2022 UNESCO Report and awards.