The Executive Director, National Water Resources Institute, Professor Emmanuel Adanu says concerted human effort is the only way through which challenges in water sector could be tackled.
Professor Adanu stated this at a one day advocacy meeting organized by the organization on water resource management at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The advocacy meeting which attracted participants from the five states of the South East geopolitical zone, was an avenue through which the stakeholders proffered lasting solution to water related issues facing the zone.
Professor Adanu who was represented by Head of Training, National Water Resources Institute, Dr. Martin Eduvie, explained that the institute is committed to training, research, and interventions on water resources, and targets at putting an end open defication by 2025, and providing portable water for all by 2030.
Up Sot In his welcome address, the Coordinator, National Water Resources Capacity Building Network, South East Centre, Dr. Emma Ezenwaji who described water as an essential commodity for human survival, advocated that South East Ministries of Water Resources should engage both the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna through the South East Network Centre in close collaboration, to achieve excellence in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH.
In a remark, the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone called for strategic implementation of the outcome of the meeting for better results in the water sector.
Earlier, the Chairman on the occasion, and Special Adviser to the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University on Land and Natural Resources Management, Professor Peter Nnabude advocated a paradigm shift from the rhetoric and paper work to tangible and activity based programmes that will ensure adequate provision of water for Nigerians.
In their goodwill massages, Anambra State Commissioner for Public Utilities and Water Resources, Mr Emeka Ezenwanne, represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Polycarp Amanzechukwu, his Abia State counterpart, Mr Emma Nwabuko, Special Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State on Water Resources, Mr Dubem Onyia, pointed out that water is a commodity that if properly harnessed, will help in increasing Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
The immediate past Co-ordinator, National Water Resources Capacity Building Network, South East, Dr. Elizabeth Okoye, in a lead paper presentation, took the participants on the role of human capacity in the water sector, while Dr. Bilkisu Dossah from National Water Resources Capacity Building Network National Centre, Kaduna briefed them on National Water Resources Capacity Building Network and the way forward for the region in water resource management.
A resolution on how to revitalize the water sector in the South East zone was later reached by the participants.
Comments are closed for this post.