Experts want effective management of water resources

EXPERTS in the water sector have called for sustainable management of water resources to minmise the effect of climate change in the country.They warnedthatclimate change would increase water scarcity in Nigeria, which in turn would affect livestock, irrigation of farmlands and environment.At the National Training Workshop on Climate Change and Water Resources Management held in Abuja on Tuesday, the expertscalled on the government to take proactive measure to mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources development and management.Former Director, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, Kenneth Iwugo, lamented that there is lack of accurate data in Nigeria, which makes prediction on climate change unreliable.Iwugo pointed out that climate is currently one of the biggest hazards confronting the world, adding that water resources would be greatly affected.In his address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources, Godknows Igali, said sustainable water resources development was one of the main objectives to achieve cornerstone of socio-economic development and advancement of the nation.The Permanent Secretary represented by the Director, Special Duties, Femi Odumosu, concurred with the stakeholders on the effects of climate change on water resources.According to him, 'climate change will aggravate the water stress currently faced by some countries, while some countries that currently do not experience water stress will become at risk of water stress.'Climate change and variability are likely to impose additional pressures on water availability, water accessibility and water demand nationally.'Therefore, he tasked stakeholders and experts in the water resources management to chart a way forward for water sector by ensuring proper climate change monitoring, adaption and mitigation at the respective catchment levels.
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