The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev on Monday called for collective action to protect the country’s water bodies from pollution and flooding.
Utsev made the call during an event to commemorate the 2024 World Rivers Day, with the theme ‘Protect Our Rivers from Pollution’ in Abuja.
Utsev noted the important roles rivers play in the water cycle, economy, ecosystem, and sustainable development.
“Our rivers are lifelines for communities, ecosystems, and economies across Nigeria, it is our collective responsibility to prevent pollution, flooding, and other threats that endanger these vital resources.
“Protecting our rivers require a collective effort. Let us all work together to prevent pollution and flooding so that future generations can benefit from these priceless resources”.
He noted that this year’s celebration was subdued due to the devastating floods of Sept. 10, 2024, which caused significant damage in Borno State.
Utsev recalled that the floods claimed lives and destroyed properties, prompting his ministry to assess the Alau Dam to prevent future disasters.
“As we commemorate World Rivers Day, we also stand in solidarity with the people of Borno State.
“We are working closely with the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) to monitor water levels across the country and ensure that such incidents do not reoccur,” he said.
Utsev stressed the importance of flood preparedness, particularly in states along the Benue River, such as Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue.
He urged state governments to remain vigilant, clear drainage channels, and relocate residents from flood-prone areas.
He also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to protect Nigeria’s rivers from pollution, urging stakeholders to view rivers as “living entities” deserving of legal rights and protections.
He called on all Nigerians to safeguard rivers from harmful practices such as waste dumping and overuse.
“We must extend these protections to our watersheds and basins, recognising that clean and healthy rivers are fundamental to our survival,” Utsev added.
Also, Dr Bello Goronyo, his state counterpart, noted the role of rivers and dams in sustaining life and supporting national development.
He stressed that protecting rivers was crucial for maintaining dam infrastructure, which supports water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation.
Goronyo warned against activities that harmed rivers, as they jeopardised dam safety and water resources.
He called for collaboration between the government, stakeholders, and the media to enhance public awareness and prevent misinformation about dam safety, urging support for sustainable water management.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the National Water Resources Institute Kaduna, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission and NIHSA.
They all called for collective action towards protecting the nation’s water bodies, saying monitoring should be done regularly.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic tree planting and river clearing at the Jabi Lake, FCT, Abuja.
World Rivers Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness about the vital importance of rivers.
This year’s observance in Nigeria serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect the country’s waterways.
