Water Borne Diseases- FG Wants Nigs To Drink Clean Water

The Federal Government has warned Nigerians to be mindful of the kind of water they drink to avoid further outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases in the country.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev who gave this warning during a news conference in Abuja, explained that water being consumed by most Nigerians may have been contaminated due to effects of flooding.

Professor Utsev who sympathised with the government and people of Brono State over the recent flood incident which affected millions of Nigerians added that a technical team from the ministry and other agencies are already on ground to assess and profer lasting solutions to the issue.

“The Minister of State, Bello Mohammad Goronyo and I have visited Maiduguri with Head of Agencies and Parastatals in my Ministry to express solidarity with the Governor, Borno State and to assess the extent of devastation caused by the flood” Professor Utsev stated.

“It should be noted however, that as we try to recover from this disaster, the water we drink may be contaminated, we should please be mindful of this, so as to avoid further outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases”, the Minister emphasized

Speaking on the alledged Alau dam collapse in Borno state, the Minister debunked the news making headlines on most dailies that it hasn’t collapsed.

“The team of technical experts from the Ministry, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) including Chad Basin Development Authority are physically on ground to assess the situation in Alau Dam and the extent of the flood disaster and come up with useful findings and recommendations. Reports of similar visits (in Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi States) have been produced and action is being taken” Professor Utsev stated.

He added that the flood disaster that affected Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to overflow of water from Alau Dam which is about ten kilometers from Maiduguri city centre owing to massive inflow from Ngadda river, a major tributary of River Yedzaram.

The Minister further implored all government at the sub-national level and stakeholders to take heed to the early warning information on flooding from the Ministry and take proactive measures to forestall the disaster and activate response measures to alleviate the suffering of the citizens that have been affected by floods.

“It would be recalled that earlier this year (on 16th April, 2024), I disseminated to the nation, the expected flood scenarios for the year 2024 through the Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) publication of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. The Flood Outlook highlighted the High, Moderate and Low Flood Risk Areas in the country. Borno, Bauchi, Jigawa, Taraba, Yobe, Benue, Gombe, and many other states were among the 31 states listed as high flood risk areas” he stressed.

Professor Utsev therefore pledged continuous support of the federal government to the welfare of all Nigerians in these trying times.

“As we try to recover from this tragedy, I wish to implore all government at the sub-national level and stakeholders to take heed to the flood early warning information from the Ministry and take proactive measures to forestall future flooding and activate response measures to alleviate the suffering of the citizens that have been affected by floods. We pledge our continued support to all Nigerians in these trying times” the Minister added.

“As I speak now, the team of technical experts from the Ministry, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) including Chad Basin Development Authority are physically on ground to assess the situation in Alau Dam and the extent of the flood disaster to come up with useful findings and recommendations”.

“Therefore, we should increase vigilance on all ramifications and step up proactive measures to address any eventual flooding events in the southern part of the country” the Minister added.

“Strategic Areas to address the menace of annual flooding in Nigeria and relevant interventions taking into consideration required activities pre, during and post flooding periods”.

“These include responsible agencies, expected outcomes, as well as timelines and indicative costs, where Mr. President, as part of the recommendations, has graciously approved the sum of N108 billion Naira to 36 States to tackle perennial flooding in the country.

“As we mourn the losses in Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Bauchi and other states affected by flooding, the attention of Nigerians is hereby drawn to the probable river flooding on rivers Niger and Benue and some of their tributaries”.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Shakira Alabi