Water Resources Ministry To Partner States In Tackling SDGs Challenges

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF has revealed plans for a strategic partnership with States across the country to tackle Sustainable development challenges posed by climate change in the sector.

The Minister, Prof. Joseph Utsev made this known at the Opening of a 3-day National Workshop on State Action Plan on Climate Change, organized by the Ministry in conjunction with United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in Abuja.

Prof. Utsev who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Shinkafi explained that one of the Sectors greatly affected by Climate Change is the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sector.

He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop holistic solutions to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions and synthetic chemicals.

Prof. Utsev noted that Climate change affects various aspects of human endeavours, including food sources, infrastructure, livelihood, and health, with profound and far-reaching implications for water resources and ecosystem degradation which places immense pressure on water infrastructure, leading to pollution, disrupted availability, and sanitation issues.

The Minister stressed the urgent need of taking decisive action to mitigate the devastating effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather conditions, and dwindling natural resources.

He called on participants to approach the workshop with optimism and a sense of purpose, aiming to create a healthier, more equitable, and resilient world for economic prosperity.

At the workshop, the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi who was also represented by Director Hydrology and Climate Change in the Ministry, Mr. Mukaila Babarinde who highlighted the dire situation in Nigeria regarding access to basic hygiene services, emphasized the urgent need for action to address climate change impact on water resources, given the evident vulnerabilities across the country.

He pointed out that climate change impact is already affecting Nigeria’s water resources, with worsening drought conditions and declining groundwater levels in the North, and irregular rainfall and flash floods in the Central and Southern regions.

Shinkafi emphasized the risk of damage to water infrastructure due to floods, highlighting the necessity for strategic actions to enhance the sector’s resilience to climate risks.

On her part the UNICEF Chief of WASH, Dr. Jane Bevan who emphasized on the importance of addressing climate change issues, particularly in Africa and Nigeria attributed vulnerability of water resources in the face of climate change-induced extreme droughts, floods, and diseases like cholera to higher temperatures.

She further pointed out that despite these challenges, there are tangible actions that can be taken to mitigate the impact of climate change which includes readiness plans, emergency preparedness, disaster reduction, and risk reduction strategies.

According to her, simple actions such as planting of trees to improve groundwater retention and clearing waste from drainage channels can significantly contribute to reducing the risk of floods and other water-related disasters.

She also mentioned the availability of funding from various large organizations globally to support climate change adaptation efforts in regions like West Africa and the Central Sahel adding that accessing this funding involves clear plans at both National and State levels, along with a climate rationale, which are prerequisites for funding from sources like the Green Climate Fund.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji