February 10, 2025
Vunoklang, Hayin Gada, Off Mubi Road, jimeta - Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria
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Water Experts and Stakeholders Call for Effective Management for Sustainable Development

By Gloria Abutu

Experts and stakeholders in the water sector have emphasized the need for effective water management to achieve sustainable development.

This is the focus at the 11th National Water Conference, themed “Water and Society,” organized by the National Water Resource Institute, Kaduna, in collaboration with the Upper Benue River Development Authority, Yola.

The event took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

Declaring the conference open, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the intricate relationship between water and society and commended the Adamawa State Government for hosting the event.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, the Minister described water as the lifeblood of communities, stressing the importance of proper water management to enhance life and livelihoods.

“Water remains central to our livelihoods, not only for the purpose of drinking and sanitation but also for food production and energy generation,” he said.
“I am highly optimistic that as we discuss water and society, we will be exposed to issues that will enhance equitable accessibility to clean water and sanitation.”

He further called for innovative technologies to protect water bodies from degradation.

In his welcome address, Managing Director of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, Yola, Mahmud Sanusi Mohammed, acknowledged that while water is essential, it has increasingly become a source of conflict.

“In recent times, water scarcity, pollution, climate change, and unsuccessful management practices have caused significant threats to water resources and have become a source of conflict in our society,” Mohammed stated.

He encouraged active participation in building a future where water is valued and managed responsibly for the benefit of all.

According to him, the conference aims to develop innovative solutions and strategies that will safeguard and promote sustainable water management and ensure equitable access to water resources.

“This conference provides an excellent platform for expert researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share knowledge on best practices to address challenges related to water and society.”

In his opening remarks, Director-General of the National Water Resource Institute, Kaduna, Professor Emmanuel Adanu, called for active involvement from experts and stakeholders to formulate solutions to address water-related challenges in society.

In a goodwill message, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Sada Soli, noted out the indispensable role of water in life and livelihoods, urging preventive measures to safeguard water from misuse.

The Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa, represented by the Dan Lawal Adamawa, Alhaji Sadiq Daware, emphasized the critical role of water in the nation’s economic development.

“Without water, life will be miserable, as it is an essential resource,” he remarked.

He pointed out Adamawa’s rich land and water resources, capable of supporting food production for the entire nation.
“With the land and water resources available in Adamawa, we can harness these potentials to produce food for the country.”

The Adamawa State Commissioner for Water Resources, Audu Ayuba Tanko, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Auwal Ibrahim, expressed the state government’s commitment to water security, conservation, and equitable access, especially in the face of climate change and population growth.

Other speakers at the conference stressed the need for stakeholders to address water and sanitation challenges and to harness water resources effectively to achieve food security.

The National Water Conference is an annual event that provides a platform for stakeholders and experts in the water sector to converge and develop actionable strategies for effective water management and water security.

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