Gov. Imoke
Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
The National Water Conference has called for appropriate short, medium and long term investments in the sector, including the construction of more dams, to effectively utilise Nigeria’s major river systems.
This was part of a 10-point resolution made available to our correspondent at the end of the 4th National Water Conference in Calabar.
It also called for the management of water resources within what it called hydro-logically bounded catchments without political interferences to avoid conflicts and waste of resources.
“There is need for energy generation as a vital component of all major dam projects in Nigeria to boost rapid industrial development and socio-economic advancement,’’ the communiqué stated.
The conference also resolved that a mechanism for effective inter-sectoral, interagency and international cooperation and collaboration for information sharing and effective service delivery be actualised by stakeholders.
It also noted the existence of more than 200 dams in Nigeria presently and the need to complete all the downstream structures with adequate involvement and involvement of host communities. It stated that these facilities should be maximally utilised for food security and youth employment
It also called on governments and other stakeholders i the water sector to take advantage of of the various courses and on-going youth empowerment programmes at the national Water resources Institute to address identified “skills gap and aging workforce’’.
The communiqué also called for adequate funding of research and development in the water sector for the development of appropriate technologies and techniques in water resources management.
“Emphasis should be given to stakeholder participation and involvement in planning and execution of water resources programmes and schemes for sustainability,’’ it stated.
Our correspondent reports that the focus of this year’s conference, with the theme “Water Cooperation – Building Partnerships”, is to encourage dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation on water issues among stakeholders at all levels
The communiqué was endorsed Mr Elemi Etowa , Cross River Commissioner for water Resources; Dr Olusanjo Bamgboye, Executive Director, National Water resources Institute; and Mr Mfon Essien, the Managing Director, Cross River Basin Development Authority.
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