The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed determination to partner with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the management of Water Resources in Nigeria. Minister of Water Resources Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe said in Abuja when she met with the Deputy Director of the agency, Mr. Kwaku Aning that the Ministry had benefited a lot from the activities of the IAEA through the National Hydrologic Service Agency (NIHSA).
She said: “We want to sincerely appreciate your Agency for the support and cooperation that the Ministry had enjoyed over the years especially through the Nigerian Hydrologic Service Agency. “We acknowledge the work you are doing across the world of which Nigeria is a beneficiary and we will give our best cooperation and support to your Agency.” Ochekpe said that management of water resources is an area that needs serious attention to avoid future challenges that may result from poor management. She said the abuse of water through dumping of refuse by those in rural and urban slums was discouraging, adding that the action results to water pollution which has direct effect on human health.
Mrs. Ochekpe said the Federal Government in partnership with International Organization and the private sector is making efforts to provide potable water to all citizenry in a sustainable manner. She called on the agency to help in establishing irrigation facilities in the Niger Basin and also in the maintenance of Over 200 dams in the country to boost electricity generation. “Government has stepped up efforts to ensure that it provides water for all citizenry but also being conscious of the fact that we do not have sufficient resources on the part of government to provide adequate potable water as soon as possible.
“We had to open up the system to private sector participation to be able to improve on our water supply especially in our urban areas,” she added. In his remarks Mr. Aning said that the agency will expand its cooperation with the ministry to achieve its objectives. “Let us know how we can expand the cooperation to assist you to achieve the objectives set up by the government of Nigeria,” he said.
