The Federal Government has constituted a high powered inter ministerial committee to develop a framework for the application of climate services as a follow up to the report of NIMET and the 2013 flood outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA),
The Minister of Water Resources made this disclosure Thursday, 18th July, 2013 in Abuja at the Purple Banquet Award organized by the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria, Abuja Chapter for the best Female Science Students in FCT Secondary Schools, aimed at encouraging female students to excel in Science Subjects leading to degree study in Engineering.
According to the Minister, the 2012 floods have been declared as the worst flooding incident in more than 40 years as a result of heavy rain fall in the country. The consequences were overbearing as it affected both lives and properties.
On the effort the Ministry is making to mitigate the effects of flooding, the Minister said, "On our part in the Ministry of Water Resources, we have taken several measures toward creating more rooms within our reservoirs to contain the flood waters being expected this year; fast track the completion of on-going dams' construction and step up awareness creation among communities living along river banks and downstream of dams and reservoirs."
Mrs. Ochekpe, who was honored with a Distinguished Role Model Award, also acknowledged Engr. Ebele Okeke's sterling qualities and contributions to the Association and commended the organizers of the event, which she described as unprecedented as it would encourage more female science students to venture into engineering profession.
She noted that so many women have excelled in science related professions and that there are good number of female Engineers working in the Water sector at managerial positions.
While concluding, she congratulated the initiator of the programme and the "ICON par excellence", Engr. Ebele Okeke for the award and blazing the trail in the previously male dominated area and giving hope to many women engineers in Nigeria.
Earlier in her welcome speech, the host, Engr. Funmilola Ojelade, chairperson of Abuja Chapter of APWEN, said that the program was to inspire the girl-child to study the sciences, stating that one of the steps in line with Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN)'s vision in achieving this feat was the introduction of Best Female Science Students in FCT Secondary Schools.
While also speaking in respect of "The notable women in the society", which was identified and honoured, Engr. Ojelade said, "The honour bestowed on them in the presence of the female students was to further inspire them to work hard and attain great success in their careers."
Water bill will provide legal framework to enhance management of water resources – Baba Faruk, Permanent Secretary in the Water Resources Ministry.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources said it is set to come up with a Water bill which when passed into law by the National Assembly, would provide the legal framework for the entire sector and also eliminate all areas of conflict in the management of water resources at all levels of government.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Baba Umar Faruk made the statement during the presentation of the final report on the National Water Resources Bill by the Legal/Technical Sub-Committee, Thursday, July 17, 2013 in Abuja.
Baba Umar Faruk, represented by the Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Daniel Daudu, disclosed that the Ministry had accordingly taken giant strides to address the issues of water legislation as a priority in the sector.
According to him, "The report being presented today by the Technical Sub-Committee would be studied and the outcome shall be communicated to you in due course."
Mr. Farouk gave the Ministry's assurance to ensure the completion of the process of the Water Bill to bring about overall development of the water sector. "On passage of the Bill by the National Assembly, the water sector would attain greater heights through the realization of its vision and mission", he added.
He commended the patriotism and commitment demonstrated by the Sub-Committee in their various capacities in the production of the document for the development and management of water resources in Nigeria.
Earlier, in his presentation of the Water bill, the Chairman of the Legal/Technical Sub-Committee, Professor Joe Goldface-Irokalibe said that the Water Bill when passed into law by the National Assembly would through the regulatory agencies, address the issue of proper coordination in the use of water as well as the problems of indiscriminate sinking of boreholes by unqualified/uncertified drillers.
He explained that the Water Bill would enable stakeholders' participation at the hydrological catchment areas key political highlights in proper administration of water. The Bill would also proffer solution to various challenges affecting the water sector such as proper tariff setting that would be done in consultation with other water users within the hydrological areas.
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