The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have partnered in the sanitasation of Jabi Lake in order to ensure water hygiene for Nigerians.
The partnership took place Wednesday in Abuja during a two-day meeting of stakeholders on ecohydrology and integrated water resources management research in Jabi Lake, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Addressing newsmen at the event, the Director General National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Prof Emmanuel Adanu, said the choice of Jabi Lake for the research was due of its strategic location in the FCT as well as its significance to residents and tourist potentials.
He said: “We are sensitising people on how to use nature to treat our water for health and wealth development. The UNESCO has a centre in Kaduna. However, in the whole of West Africa, we don’t have an ecohydrology centre that will take care of water problems. Jabi Lake is in the FCT, which is the centre, so we decided to choose it for our research because it is handy and available, especially as we see pollution affecting the integrity of the lake. Also, a lot of people make their livelihood from there. Fortunately, the UNESCO accepted our choice of the lake.
“This sensitisation meeting originated from our institute in Kaduna, under the UNESCO. We want to make it elaborate, so all the stakeholders are involved. People should know the importance of keeping the lake around them healthy. At the end of the meeting, the stakeholders will have enough information for us to come up with a programme to use.
“Jabi Lake was a lake when Abuja was looking for water supply. However, when the government was proactive and got some other dams to save Abuja, they abandoned it. But we are saying that you should not abandon such, because tourism is important. Recreation for you and I around the lake is very important, so we must keep that lake safe. In case in the future we need water supply at a critical period to augment what is happening in Abuja, then you can fall back on the lake.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, said the workshop was particularly important for professionals to deploy ecohydrological solutions in ensuring water security in Jabi Lake or anywhere else in Nigeria.
He said: “As you are aware, sustainable water solutions, whether local, regional and global levels, require creativity, scientific knowledge, discoveries and innovations through scientific cooperation. I am aware that this workshop brought together water resources experts, practitioners, managers, scientists, policy makers, civil society organisations to share knowledge, exchange information and collaborate on how ecohydrological solutions can be practically deployed to improve sustainable management in Jabi Lake and its entirety.
“Let me inform you that the concept of eco-hydrology is giving ground worldwide as a problem solving science and it is imperative to create interest in implementing this novel approach to water and environmental management of this lake and other water bodies as well.
“I am convinced that this meeting will further provide tremendous insight into modern approaches for implementing integrated water resources management and how eco-hydrology can be used as a practical tool for delivering IWRM for healthy livelihood of Jabi Lake as well as its rich ecosystem.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources is in full support of the intent of the Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management and the National Water Resources Institute to deliver this lofty initiative, which will in no small measure restore the lake to a more viable condition that we all desire and can be proud of.”
