FG dialogues on water regulations

THE Federal Government has pledged to ensure strict regulations on water use for the advancement of water security and governance across the country.

Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Adamu, said this at the national dialogue workshop on Water Use and Licence Regulations, 2016 recently  in  Abuja.

Suleiman  who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, said the national dialogue was intended to encourage coordinated development and participatory approach to the management of shared water resources for greater economic efficiency.

He said the platform would strengthen strategic cooperation and collaboration among sister agencies with a view to bringing about harmonious work relationships.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the interactive platform provided by this forum will yield the desired result and would further provide the platform to develop action plan for future engagement with all our relevant stakeholders in the water sector,” he said.

Earlier, the Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Commission, Mr. Reuben Habu, said that the Commission was charged with the responsibility of assisting the government to regulate and control the rights of all persons to develop and use water resources shared by more than one state for greater economic efficiency, social equity and sustainability.

He explained that the Water Use Licence Regulations, 2016 which was launched by the Minister of Water Resources was for the regulation of the development and management of water resources in Nigeria.

He added that the permit covered various water uses which included domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, power generation, fisheries and recreation.