MINISTER of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, has said that the Federal Government is unrelenting about making potable water accessible to all Nigerians nationwide.
He said that it was unfortunate that country is blessed with 156 billion cubic metres of water but it has not been well harnessed over the years for the overall benefits of the people.
The minister spoke at the 13th annual conference of the Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS) held at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka.
Represented by the Managing Director of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Femi Odumosu, the minister said the world is experiencing shortage of water and then encouraged the association to continue research on water resources to bridge the gap between science and the people.
Professor Utsev observed that climate change in form of drought had greatly affected the availability of water for human consumption and other purposes.
“Water is critical to life and livelihood and critical to the economy. No meaningful development can take place in the globe without water,” he said.
He called for timely exchange of knowledge and collaboration with likeminds to formulate policies and proffer solution that would ensure effective management of water resources.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Mrs Folasade Ogunsola, said she was glad that the society considered UNILAG as the choice venue of the event.
Represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Obanishola Sodiq, the vice chancellor described the conference as crucial to the current happenings in the country and the world.
Executive Secretary, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, Mrs Funke Adepoju, who was the guest speaker, said water is an indispensable element in every society, adding that scarcity of water, lack of clean water, flood, pollution, vulnerability of coastal areas to rising water level are among the challenges facing mankind.
She maintained that absence of adequate water poses a major challenge to farmers which in turns affects level of agricultural produce.
Mrs Adepoju urged NAHS and other stakeholders to harness their potentials to address the challenges confronting humanity.
“Deforestation has greatly affected human existence in many ways. Adapting to climate change is very important in considering solution to the menace. I urge this gathering to ensure responsible management and equitable distribution of water,” she added.
NAHS President, Professor David Jimoh, described the group as a multidisciplinary association focused on advancing the knowledge of hydrological and water resources.
He said the association recognised the challenges in the provision of water as multifaceted, adding that some of them are technical and managerial in nature.
He said the forum would rub minds and proffer workable solution to the problems.
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