By YANGE IKYAA
As proactive measure towards ensuring the sustainable management of transboundary waters in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria recently took a significant step to join a United Nations Treaty known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Water Courses and International Lakes.
The minister of water resources, Suleiman Adamu, disclosed this Thursday in Sokoto at the opening ceremony of the 29th regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources, with the theme: “Actualizing Sustainable Development Goal-6: Prospects and Challenges.”
The minister recalled that the commitment to join the treaty was guided by a roadmap for Nigeria’s accession to and future implementation of the United Nations Water Convention, which was ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on October 27, 2022.
He added that Nigeria is expected to benefit from the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, which initiated the convention to address current water challenges in the countries of West Africa in relation to population growth, increasing urbanization, pollution, irrigated agriculture and industrialization.
Adamu further revealed that his ministry, in its quest to keep track of its activities, has produced a document titled the “National Water Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Framework,” which is predicated on the proposed National Water Resources Bill and Key Policy Statement No.11 of the National Water Resources Policy (2016).
This policy states that “a robust monitoring and evaluation system will be applied to measure both output and impact of water resources investments and programmes on the lives of the beneficiaries and the environment, improve accountability, ensure successful project delivery and judicious use of the nation’s resources.”
The water resources minister noted that six states, namely Bauchi, Enugu, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Oyo have domesticated the framework, while Lagos State has commenced the process of domestication.h
Adamu also urged the remaining 29 states in the country domesticate the framework. He further maintained that the passage of the National Water Resources Bill into law will contribute to improved management of Nigeria’s water resources and the proper harnessing of both surface and groundwater to support the nation’s socio-economic needs.
