(http://fmi.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Sarah-Ochekpe1-300x224.jpg) The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe has said that the Ministry of Water Resources has been involved in integrated water resources management for optimal use in the areas of potable water supply and sanitation as well as dams development and reservoir operation for flood control, bulk raw water supply, hydropower generation, irrigation and fisheries development.
She revealed this at the accountability session for the Ministry of Water Resources on Monday, 17 June, 2013 as part of the 2013 Ministerial Platform holding at the National Press Centre, Radio House , Abuja.
At the forum, the Water Resources Minister stated that "Water is life; it is critical to human existence and excess water or insufficient water not properly managed is devastating to both man and environment."
She further said that the neglect of water resources development and management prior to the inception of the present government had far reaching consequences and as such, she disclosed that "River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) have been re-organized to make them more responsive towards the development of rural water schemes, national food security and accelerated grassroots' development. There has been optimal use of land and water resources to support increased food production through irrigation. The Ministry has strengthened its partnership with State governments and stakeholders in the sector to facilitate effective synergy in water resources' development and management"; she explained.
Serah Ochekpe disclosed that her Ministry has embarked on the execution of the Northern Ishan Water Supply Project in Edo State, the Mangu Water Treatment Plant in Plateau State as well as the Greater Makurdi Water Supply Scheme in collaboration with Benue State. She mentioned the completion of 545 hand pumps and 885 motorised/solar powered boreholes across the country; World Bank-assisted small town water supply and sanitation in Niger, Katsina and Ekiti States and the European Union-assisted water supply and sanitation sector reform programme, carried out in Adamawa, Delta, Ekiti, Anambra, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano, Osun and Yobe States.
Other projects, she said were the JICA – assisted rural water supply programme in Oyo, Kano, Yobe, Bauchi, Kebbi, Niger, Enugu, Taraba and Ondo States; Chinese-assisted rural water supply programme carried out in 18 States and the FCT; World Bank / African Development Bank – assisted Urban Sector Reform Water Projects in Kaduna, Ogun, Enugu, Cross River, Taraba, Lagos and Osun States.
The Minister reiterated that dams and reservoirs were also constructed nationwide during the period under review to cater to needs for water. She also listed hydro-power, flood control, irrigation, fisheries development, tourism and recreation as well as enhanced increase in food production through the use of stored water in dams made possible through irrigation systems, she said, would soon be completed.
While the Minister was still listing dam projects of her Ministry, she indicated that water transfer from Gurara Dam to the Lower Usuma Dam to the tune of over 100 MCM will help to augment water supply in the FCT; saying flood forecast and control, strengthening of the water sector profile through a water sector roadmap was launched by the President in January, 2011.
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