Minister Tasks Water Correspondents on Effective, Objective, Balance Reportage
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Water Resources and National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), have organized a two day training workshop for water resources correspondents, Editors and news Analysts in the Nigeria water sector.
Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, while declaring the workshop open on Thursday in Abuja said that, the training will provide a greater understanding of the activities in the Water sector and to enhance informed, effective, objective and balanced reportage of the trends in the Water Sector especially for the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
According to him, Theme for the training; “Reporting Water in its Perspective” was apt and could not have come at a better time than now considering that Nigerians need to be fed with accurate information about the sphere of Water and issues of Water as every human activity revolves around it. Hence the axiom; Water is Life.
He said, "It is worthy to note that working with the Media is a crucial component of our work, thus this training designed to bring you up to speed with Water Resources Concepts and how to use them in your reports".
He explained that, since his re-appointment as the Minister of Water Resources, the Ministry has been striving very hard to consolidate on the gains made in his first tenure and equally work towards touching the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians in many positive ways.
He noted that the ministry's work has been hinged on the Water Sector Roadmap Implementation Framework which he instituted, and it comprises:
• Establishment of a policy and regulatory framework for the Sector.
• Prioritization and implementation of the Ministry’s projects.
• Development and Implementation of the Ministry’s projects.
• Development and Implementation of a National Irrigation Development programme (2016-2030).
• Identification of dams with Hydro Electric Power Potentials for Development; Development and Implementation of a National Water -Supply and Sanitation Programme to attain the SDGs.
• Development of a blueprint to strengthen the River Basin Development Authorities as enablers for food security and socio-economic development.
• Identifying alternative sources for funding for Water Supply and Sanitation through enhanced COLLABORATION WITH Development Partners, States, Local Government Authorities, Communities and the Private Sector.
He listed some his milestones to include, out of the total 116 on-going and abandoned projects that he inherited on assumption of Office in 2015, he prioritized 72 No after rigorous technical audit into high and medium priorities and have thus far completed 34 no of those prioritized. More projects have been prioritized for completion by 2023.
• Provision of potable water supply to all the inhabitants in Nigeria is a complementary shared constitutional responsibility of the three tiers of Government.
While the Federal Government provides bulk raw water via its over 200 dams across the country, it is the responsibility of respective State Governments to provide potable water directly to the people.
"Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources is responsible for policy formulation, advice, data collection, monitoring and reporting and making special intervention which has brought about the completion of many water schemes nationwide, with a total capacity of 146,669,125 liters/day and enabled additional 12.5 million population coverage by the Federal Government within the last 6 years.
"The State Governments through their MDAs are directly responsible for the provision of Water Supply to Urban, small towns and Rural areas.
"The Local Government Authorities are responsible for the provision of potable water to rural communities in their jurisdiction.
"Additional 96,000Ha has been developed out of about 3.14 million Ha of the National Irrigation potential as at 2021.
"Private Sector and State Governments are expected to provide additional 1,000,000 Ha of Irrigation land and infrastructure by 2030.
"It is important that the people are well informed about activities in the Water Sector and roles of all stakeholders including that of citizens are defined and roles/responsibilities adequately observed.
"In all these, the role of the Media with a well-groomed pedestal is very pertinent and that is what has informed this training.
"NWRI is in the best position to undertake this training, being a capacity development and research hub with the mandate to promote and develop training courses in Water Resources, provide for the training of the various sector stakeholders on short courses and formulate programme of work in the field of Water Resources, amongst others". He explained
He commended the Management of the Institute for coming to share their knowledge with the media.
Calling on Water Correspondents and other member of the Fourth Estate to use the knowledge gained in the training to enrich their wealth of knowledge for more efficient and effective reportage.
A brief of history of Water and it's behavior was presented by Director General, National Water Resources Institute, Prof. Emmanuel Adamu, while media veterans and professional presented papers during the event
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