World Rivers Day: FG Urges Protection Of Lakes, Rivers, Waterways

As Nigeria joins the global community to commemorate this year’s World Rivers Day, the minister of water of resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, has called for the protection of rivers and lakes against pollution, misuse and extinction.

The minister, who made the call yesterday in Abuja at an event to mark the 2022 World Rivers Day, expressed the optimism that this year’s celebration will contribute to the growing awareness across the country on the importance of healthy waterways.

He said rivers face a number of threats ranging from pollution, anthropogenic activities, urbanisation, global warming and climate change among others, adding that this phenomenon leads to alarming global degradation of rivers.

Ademau said it also affects other water bodies like lakes coupled with the resulting harms to wildlife, public health and local economies.

“Therefore according to the Founder, the need to perceive rivers and lakes as “living entities that are entitled to fundamental rights, legal guardians and personhood” cannot be over emphasised. Indeed, these rights are expected to be extended to the health of the watersheds, river basins, critical stakeholders such as the indigenous communities that depends on the river as well as the States that will implement the rights,” he said.

Speaking further, Adamu said the choice of Jabi Lake for flag-off of this year’s World Rivers Day in the FCT is in recognition of its unique location and potential socio-economic benefits.

“Due to the present deplorable condition of the lake, there is need to restore its full recreational value. The use of Ecohydrology as a tool for the restoration of the Jabi Lake is imperative due to the fact that it creates green solutions in sustainable management of water ecosystems.

“Ecohydrology also combines hydrology, engineering and biota for water security in order to improve both water quality and quantity. Due to growing industrialisation and other recreational activities around the lake, there is also need to draw the attention of stakeholders and the general public to the protection of the lake and the adjoining river tributary to ensure optimal benefits thereof by both present and future generations in a sustainable manner,” he said.

In her welcome address, the permanent secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Esther Walson-Jack, noted the World Rivers day is celebrated on the 4th Sunday in September of every year in order to highlight the values of Rivers, increase public awareness on river protection, healthy vibrant waterways and promote the culture of improved maintenance of waterways for sustainable national development.

She emphasised the need for river advocates to synergize and collectively ramp up efforts towards protecting the country’s rivers as it serves as the major source of fresh water for domestic needs, agriculture, recreation, power generation, transportation and environmental sustainability.

“In Nigeria as you know, many rivers are facing severe and increasing

threats associated with climate change, pollution, urbanization, population growth and industrial development.

“These and many more are the reasons why we need to scale up our national efforts towards river remediation, protection and conservation for the present and future generations,” she said.