The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over the increasing threats to the country's rivers, citing pollution, deforestation, and environmental degradation as major challenges. According to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, the destruction of rivers could have severe consequences on water security, food production, and livelihoods. He made this statement while marking World Rivers Day with the theme, “No Forests, No Rivers; No Water, No Life.”
The event, which featured a media briefing, symbolic river-cleaning, and riverside tree-planting exercise at Wupa River, Gbesa Community, Abuja, aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting Nigeria's rivers. Prof Utsev emphasized that rivers play a critical role in agriculture, food security, domestic and industrial activities, livelihoods, and biodiversity. However, he noted that they are increasingly threatened by pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal, urbanisation, erosion, sand mining, and climate change.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation also highlighted the ministry's commitment to Integrated Water Resources Management, watershed protection, and improved water-quality monitoring. He called for stronger collaboration among governments, communities, development partners, the private sector, and civil society to protect the nation’s rivers and waterways. This, he believes, is crucial to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Nigeria's water resources.
Prof Utsev also linked sanitation to the health of Nigeria’s rivers, revealing that 179 Local Government Areas had been validated as Open Defecation Free. Additionally, more than 5,238 public sanitation facilities had been constructed nationwide under the Clean Nigeria Campaign: Use the Toilet programme. He urged Nigerians, particularly youths and the media, to support the campaign against open defecation, pollution of waterways, and destruction of forests and wetlands.
In his welcome address, Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, said the theme of World Rivers Day underscored the link between healthy forests, rivers, and sustainable water resources. He stressed that protecting Nigeria's rivers was essential to water security, food production, and national development. The choice of Wupa River for the celebration was a practical reminder of the need to protect and restore the nation’s water bodies.
Engr. Christy Oduh, Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, expressed gratitude to the minister, Dallah, directors, chief executives of River Basin Development Authorities, and other stakeholders for their participation in the event. The celebration of World Rivers Day aimed to promote awareness about the importance of protecting Nigeria's rivers and to encourage collective action towards their conservation.
The Federal Government's alarm over pollution and deforestation in Rivers highlights the need for urgent action to protect Nigeria's water resources. The government's efforts to promote Integrated Water Resources Management, watershed protection, and improved water-quality monitoring are crucial steps towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of the country's rivers.
Key points
- The Federal Government has raised the alarm over growing threats to Nigeria’s rivers.
- The destruction of rivers could endanger water security, food production, and livelihoods.
- The government is promoting Integrated Water Resources Management to protect the nation’s rivers and waterways.
