Harsh climate, population explosion among other challenges are some of the factors hampering equitable water supply amongst the Nigerian populace.
Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu said this has pushed the Federal Government to take desperate measures, including adopting a national water master plan which is due for review in 2022.
The minister highlighted the challenges in the water sector while addressing stakeholders in the industry during n the review of the National Water Resources Master Plan program held in Kano.
Engr. Adamu revealed that Nigeria is confronted with expanding population growth and uneven distribution of rainfall across the country which invariably overstretching the use of groundwater,
He, however, emphasized the urgent need for coordinated management of water resources by all tiers of government to check the growing concern.
The Minister who disclosed also regretted the lack of political will of successive government to implement the master plan since it was developed in 1995.
Represented by the Director, Water Resources and Technical Planning in the ministry, Mrs Alice Ojokwu, the minister reassured that the federal government is determined to activate the roadmap to stimulate national integration on water development.
Engr. Adamu reminded that the new action plan has activated full participation of states in the irrigation sub-sector and urged inclusive investment on infrastructure to optimise water impounded in dam reservoir.
He explained that the essence of the stakeholders meeting which drew participants from the Northwestern states of Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, was to create awareness with the relevant agencies and state ministries on the content of the reviewed National Water Resources Master plan.
“The National Water Resources Master Plan was first developed by the ministry in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA in 1995.
“The plan was first integrated development plan aimed at optimization of the nation’s water resources as well as financial and economic investment options in water resources development to achieve accelerated growth, integrated and coordinated water development, agricultural production and food security.
