The Nigeria Hydrological Survey Agency, NISHA, says the federal government is committed to providing strategic policies that will strengthen water resources ecosystem.
Director-General of NIHSA, Umar Mohammed stated this at a workshop organized by the Agency in collaboration with the Shara and Sahel Observatory National Validation on Strategic Action Plan, SAP, in Abuja.
Mohammed explained that the workshop is essential to educate stakeholders on importance of how to improve the management, governance, conservation and protection of water resources.
“Strengthening of water resources management framework and institutions in the region will boost the livelihood to citizens”
The NIHSA Director General stressed the need to enhance the availability of water resources through strengthening of groundwater recharge and existing groundwater extraction facilities.
“There is need to Ensure that local stakeholders are aware of the issues and strengthen their capacities for the improvement of water resources management and protection”
“Water Resources are managed efficiently and adaptive by implementing economically viable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change” he noted.
He explained that the capacity of NIHSA is strengthened for effective quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the water resources of the region.
In his presentation, NB-ITTAS Regional Consultant on Strategic Action Plan, SAP, Prof. Tiegaan Amada emphasized that the workshop would help to provide an additional strategy drafted into account, project and policies including legislative framework
“Analysing the gab between the existing policies, take it as an opportunity to add an additional value which is the jointly manage, surface water, ground water and related ecosystem”
On his part, the Director of Hydrogeophysis in NIHSA, Mr. Stephen Jabo said an institutional body will be set up after the workshop to manage the joint water resources of the countries involved.
He added that the collaboration would help to address water resources scarcity in member countries.
“A mechanism will be set up to govern and manage the joint water resources of the countries both surface and ground water” he added.
“If it is the region that is located in sahel regions that is facing water scarcity, there is need for this countries to come together collaboratively to manage the scarce water resources of this region” Jabo stressed
He explained that there are six counties involved in this project, namely Nigeria, Mali, Niger, Bukinafaso, Benin and Mauritania and are expected to collaborate to foster regional cooperation on the Niger Basin and the Iulleden-Taoudeni/Tanezrouft, ITTAS, Aquifer system, NB-ITTAS,
He further stressed that the essence of the workshop is for these countries to come together by committing themselves to make sure that the joint shared water resources are equitable shared and sustainable manage for now and for the future generations to come.
