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Tag: Water

  • Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems convergence: A call for establishment of freshwater and Marine Protected Areas

    Freshwater and Marine Ecosystems convergence: A call for establishment of freshwater and Marine Protected Areas

    By Judith Ufford

    It would be recalled in May this year that environmentalists and other stakeholders expressed their displeasure over the handling of the report of dead fish along the Niger Delta coastline.

    The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency ( NOSDRA) in a release on the matter stated: “hydrocarbon were not responsible for the death of the fishes, the plausible cause(s) could partially be attributable to other anthropogenic activities which are probably land-based”.

    Reacting to NOSDRA, environmentalists responded thus: ” we are not satisfied with NOSDRA’s report as this does not bring a closure to this matter”.

    It was against this backdrop that Health of Mother Earth Foundation(HOMEF), a Nigerian based Non- governmental organization converged a webinar recently on Freshwater and marine ecosystems for Protected Areas in the Gulf of Guinea and Congo basin ( Nigeria, DRC, and Cameroon).

    The Convergence/ school of ecology reviewed the threats to aquatic ecosystems in the regions and examined ways of monitoring and protecting them.
    Participants at the webinar included speakers from the Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and South Africa and stakeholders representing 12 NGOs from the four African countries, students, fishers, and academics.

    Speaking at the opening of the webinar, director of HOMEF noted that ” it is time to raise the capacity of our fishers to monitor aquatic ecosystems, share knowledge, map threatened and valuable species, network with other fishers within and across borders”.

    According to him, water is life is not a mere slogan. It is a declaration that must be fought for.

    “Many see water as a resource that is limitless, conveniently forgetting that only three percent of the earth’s water is freshwater, and only 1.2 percent can be used as drinking water while the rest are inaccessible in ice caps, permafrost or way down in the ground,” he added.

    Topics x-rayed in the 2-day convergence included the dynamics and benefits of freshwater and marine ecosystems; tools for sustaining ocean ecosystems and marine resources; current and impending threats to freshwater and marine ecosystems; marine protected areas in South Africa; big dams and national/regional disruptions (the Inga III dam); and gender dimensions in freshwater ecosystems protection in DRC.

    The convergence established the need to support the preservation of aquatic (marine and freshwater) ecosystems and livelihoods in the Congo Basin area as well as in the Gulf of Guinea and to empower fishers and other community members to actively monitor and protect their ecosystems.

    Speakers at this convergence included Prof. Gabriel Umoh (Nigeria), Ako Amadi (Nigeria), Dr. Joe Alagoa (Nigeria), Sherelee Odayar (South Africa), Emmanuel Musuyu (DRC), Xavier Ndjamo (Cameroon), Salome Elolo (DRC), Irikefe Dafe (Nigeria), Ken Henshaw (Nigeria) and Babawale Obayanju (Nigeria).

    In the course of the discussions, the following observations were made:

    *)Most of the threats to aquatic ecosystems result from human activities such as poor waste disposal, dredging, noise and oil pollution, poaching and overfishing.

    *)Conversion of wetlands for infrastructure and expansion of urban centres pose a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity.

    *)There is a disconnect between research outcomes and policy. Most research works are not targeted at the real issues faced by those whose livelihoods depend on the aquatic ecosystems and the outcomes of most researches merely end up in journals and libraries

    *)In some places (e.g. South Africa) Marine Protected Areas have impacted negatively on artisanal fishers who are excluded in the scheme of things due to a fractured policy view of prevailing culture and sense of place.

    *)Big dams (e.g. the Inga111 Dam on the Congo River in DRC) negatively impact aquatic biodiversity, loss of livelihoods/displacements and expose the country into avoidable financial debt.
    *)Greenhouse gas emissions from big dams are equal to those from thermal power plants making big dams major contributors to climate change.
    *)Some conservation approaches can have negative impacts which include disappearance of flora and fauna
    *)Women are often left out of decision-making processes with regard to the protection of freshwater and marine ecosystems
    *)Networking and movement building are major planks for ensuring the protection of our biodiversity.
    *)Research institutions on freshwater and marine ecosystems are not sufficiently funded.
    Resolutions from the convergence:
    1)Freshwater and Marine Protected Areas should be established in Nigeria, the Congo Basin and in the Gulf of Guinea.
    2)Policies on protected areas and conservation approaches must be gender sensitive, socially inclusive and context specific.
    3)Traditional knowledge and norms should be integrated into all biodiversity conservation processes.
    4)Governments should fund research and institutions/agencies related to freshwater and marine ecosystems and encourage research that address the real challenges faced by fishers and coastal communities. The research outcomes should be fully utilised in policy development and implementation.
    5)Movements and networks (such as FishNet Alliance) on freshwater and marine ecosystems should be formed and/or encouraged across the Congo Basin and the Gulf of Guinea.
    6)Polluting extractive activities in our waters should be banned
    7)The Africa Development Bank should not fund the Inga III dam in DRC and should halt further considerations as they did in the case of the coal powered plant at Lamu, Kenya.
    8)Poaching of fish on our continental shelf by foreigners should be urgently brought to a halt.
    9)The lessons from the convergence should be further stepped down through FishNet Dialogues in partner countries – Cameroon, DRC and Nigeria. A Dialogue Guide already developed by HOMEF can be adapted and utilised for such dialogues.
    10)Need to strengthen networking for sharing of knowledge especially with regard to using indigenous and traditional knowledge for conservation of threatened species such as freshwater turtles in Cameroon and elsewhere.
    11)Recognize and uphold the rights of rivers such as River Ethiope in Delta State, Nigeria and River Congo in DRC.
    12)Government should guarantee security for fishers and protect community ecological defenders.

    HOMEF also introduced to the participants a recently prepared policy paper on the need to establish freshwater and marine protected areas in the Congo Basin and the Gulf of Guinea as well as a Guide to Aquatic Ecosystems Monitoring, Reporting, Advocacy and Organizing which the partner countries as well as Nigeria were encouraged to adapt and use in FishNet Dialogues to equip fishers to monitor and protect the aquatic ecosystem.

    In a discussion on the theme of the World Ocean Day 2020 – Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean – the convergence called for a careful consideration of what may arise from so-called innovative use of the oceans which may herald the up scaling of plans to implement concepts such as the Blue Economy which epitomizes the commodification of Nature and may lead to partitioning and grabbing of our aquatic ecosystems with the attendant rise of extractive activities such as deep sea mining, marine biotechnology and bio-prospecting and geo-engineering that further complicate the challenges faced by the world and especially coastal communities.

  • Access to water is critical to fighting COVID-19 pandemic – WHO

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional office for Africa in Brazzaville, Congo says access to water for all is critical to fighting the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The UN health agency said this in its regional official twitter account @WHOAFRO.

    According to WHO, 395 million people in Africa region did not have access to basic drinking water services in 2017 while 704 million did not access to basic sanitation services.

    “This gap must be urgently addressed.

    “Access to safe drinking water, toilets and hand-washing facilities in health facilities must be scaled-up to fight COVID19, particularly in remote areas.

    “Urgent government commitment, investment and resources are urgently needed to improve access to vital services.’’

    Meanwhile, the UN agency said the Minister of Health of Mozambique had just confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the country.

    “This is the 3rd lusophone country affected by the virus in Africa.

    “WHO and health partners have been already implementing prevention measures to avoid the spread of the virus.’’

    In addition, it said the government of Kenya had just confirmed eight more cases of COVID19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 15.

    “WHO experts have supported the training of hospitals in Nairobi to handle cases safely and control the spread of the virus.’’

    As of Saturday, more than half the nations on the continent — 36 of the 54 countries — had reported cases.

    The virus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, emerged in Wuhan, China last December.

    It has spread to at least 169 countries and regions, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

    Out of almost 312,000 confirmed cases, the death toll now exceeds 13,400, while nearly 94,000 have recovered.

    Italy, China, Iran, and Spain continue to be the most affected countries.

  • [Details] $.7m luxury ship to boost water tourism in Lagos

    [Details] $.7m luxury ship to boost water tourism in Lagos

    A Nigerian tourism investor, Mr Adeyanju Lipede, has acquired a $700,000 luxury ship for leisure sea cruise to boost water tourism and explore the country’s beautiful waterways.

    Lipede, who is also the owner of Hi-Impact Planet, an amusement park in Lagos, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday at Hi-Impact Cruise, Onikan Lagos.

  • World Bank to invest $350m in Nigeria – Minister

    Federal Government says World Bank will invest 350 million dollars to support the Partnership of Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme in Nigeria.

    Mr Sulieman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources said this at the National Stakeholders’ Consultation workshop on Nigeria Rural WASH Project on Thursday in Abuja.

    “The World Bank has graciously considered our request and preparing a project in support of the PEWASH programme in the country.

    “This is with an investment worth 350 million dollars to deliver sustainable and safe water and sanitation to millions of Nigerians and to support our efforts to end open defecation.

    “I sincerely thank the Work Bank for this effort and hope this will open the gate for more supports from our esteemed development,‘’ he said.

    Adamu said that the consultation workshop was also aimed at discussing modalities for the implementation of the propose Nigeria Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project to be supported by the World Bank.

    He said the workshop was to review and fashion out modalities necessary for the taking off and the full implementation of the project.

    The minister however said that states were expected to meet certain criteria to be qualified and to be ready to receive the support of the proposed project.

    He said that these criteria were not anything new, rather the same requirements were necessary for adequate preparation and smooth implementation of the project.

    “Mr President during inauguration of the National Action Plan for the Revitalisation of the WASH Sector in November 2018 directed that Federal Government support to state governments would be contingent upon their willingness to implement the National Action Plan.

    “State governments must therefore be ready to make both political and financial commitment that will be needed for the project being prepare with the World Bank, ’’he said.

    The minister while unveiling a report on the “Nigeria Rural WASH Services Access and Sustainability Report’’ said the report provides an assessment of the current rate of WASH services in the country.

    He said that the reported had evaluated some of the basic drivers underpinning rates and undertook a comprehensive review of the various modalities of WASH provision in the rural Nigeria, among others.

    Adamu therefore reiterated commitment to the Clean Nigeria, Use the Toilet campaign to stop open defecation in the country by 2025.

    Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, the World Bank’s representative said that low access to water supply, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH) was a major reason for this poor performance.

    “Lack of WASH services has led to high infant mortality, deteriorates lifelong health and reduces educational attainment that has in turn diminished labour productivity.

    “The World Bank is proud to offer continued support as you embark on implementing the National Action Plan for the Revitalisation of Nigeria’s WASH sector.

    “That is why this year, at the request of your government, our team has begun preparing a new 350 million dollars lending operation in support of rural communities and small towns,’’ he said.

    He said that the project seeks to increase access to water, sanitation and hygiene services and strengthen capacity for service delivery.

    Benmessaoud said that with the collaboration of all in the implementation of the Action Plan, the federal, state and local governments, development partners, stakeholders, Nigeria “ can make the impossible possible’’.

    Mrs Comfort Ekaro, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources said the workshop was to ensure participants have a common understanding on issues that would enhance the preparation and implementation of the project under consideration by the World Bank.

  • 52.7m Nigerians lack access to water supply – Minister

    The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, says 52.7 million Nigerians have no access to water supply in the country.

    Adamu disclosed this while delivering a lecture to mark the 3rd Founders day ceremony of Edo University Iyamho on Saturday.

    The lecture is titled ” Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Sustainable Development’’.

    Represented by the Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, Mr Saliu Ahmed, Adamu said Nigeria was unable to attain the MDGs which target water supply and sanitation due to poor investments, low capacity and other challenges.

    “2015 National Water Supply Coverage (NWSC) was 69 per cent, comprising urban dwellers 80 per cent, semi urban (small town) 68 per cent and rural areas 60 per cent.

    ”This implied that 31 per cent, representing 52.7 million Nigerians did not have access to water supply.

    “Inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, population increase and rapid urbanization have created a serious deficiency in the quality of life of an average Nigerian.‘’

    ‘He said this created “dire consequences on sanitation, food, security, health, employment and standard of living”.

    Adamu said that the ministry developed immediate and long-term strategies for water sector tagged “the water sector road map to address the problem from 2016 to 2030.

    He said Nigeria was not able to meet the Milinium Development Goals Target on access to water supply due to decline in access to water in the rural areas.

    “With the water sector road map, concerted efforts must be put in place towards achieving 100 per cent access to water supply by 2030 in accordance with the newly adopted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),’’ he said

    The minister disclosed that an estimated $5 billion annual investment would be required to meet the MDG targets, adding that the current level of investment in the sector was less than half a billion dollars.

    Earlier, Gov. Godwin Obaseki congratulated the university’s management on its achievements in the last three years.

    “This was a goal we set out when we established this University.

    “They’ve done well, but there’s still a lot to be done. Our goal is to make this University a global university.

    “The benchmark is not Nigeria, it’s the world. I want by the next ranking, this university being ranked among the best on the continent.”

    The governor said plans had been put in place to partner world class universities in its quest to be one of the best institutions in the world.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor, said the institution was competing with global standards in terms of academic.

    He added that the institution was looking forward to its first graduation ceremony in 2020.

    “The standards we are competing with are not Nigerian standards, they are global standards. We are looking at putting Edo University on the map of the world as a world-class University,” he said.

  • Over 3.6m Nigerians in need of water, sanitation, hygiene services – UNICEF

    Over 3.6m Nigerians in need of water, sanitation, hygiene services – UNICEF

    The United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) says over 3.6 million people lack access to potable water, sanitation and hygiene services in Nigeria.

    UNICEF’s Representative in the country,Mr Mohamed Fall, made this known on Friday in a statement to commemorate World Water Day scheduled for March 22 with the 2019 theme: “Living no one behind”.

    Fall identified 1.1 million as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of violence and conflict, noting that many of them are out-of-reach in remote areas still impacted by conflict.

    “About 800,000 people are in hard-to-reach areas and 79 per cent of these are children and women.

    “In Nigeria, conflict has created huge challenges for people living in the Northeast of the country, where violence has affected their ability to access water and sanitation, leading to diseases such as cholera.

    “In the North-east 5,365 people were affected by cholera, with 61 dying in 2017, while 12,643 people were affected in 2018 and 175 died of the disease,” Fall said.

    UNICEF Executive Director, Ms Henrietta Fore noted that children below the age of 15 in countries affected by protracted conflict on the average, are three times more likely to die from diarrhoea due to lack of access to WASH facilities than as a result of direct violence.

    Fore, who quoted UNICEF’s latest report titled :“Water Under Fire”,said the odds were already stacked against children living through prolonged conflicts.

    “The odds are already stacked against children living through prolonged conflicts with many unable to reach a safe water source.

    “ The reality is that there are more children who die from lack of access to safe water than by bullets,” she said.

    Fore said that UNICEF has intensified efforts to scale-up life-saving responses, especially in IDP camps to ensure quality and sustainability of WASH services and facilities.

    She further noted that the agency was also working to minimise the risk of WASH-related diseases and provide preventive measures against cholera and other water-borne diseases.

    According to her, without safe and effective WASH services, children are at risk of malnutrition and preventable diseases including diarrhoea, typhoid, cholera and polio.

    “Girls are particularly affected: They are vulnerable to sexual violence as they collect water or venture out to use latrines. They deal with affronts to their dignity as they bathe and manage menstrual hygiene.

    “And they miss classes during menstruation if their schools have no suitable water and sanitation facilities.

    “These threats are exacerbated during conflict when deliberate and indiscriminate attacks destroy infrastructure, injure personnel and cut off the power that keeps water, sanitation and hygiene systems running.

    “Armed conflict also limits access to essential repair equipment and consumables such as fuel or chlorine – which can be depleted, rationed, diverted or blocked from delivery. Far too often, essential services are deliberately denied,” she noted.

    “Deliberate attacks on water and sanitation are attacks on vulnerable children. Water is a basic right. It is a necessity for life,” she added.

  • Buhari declares state of emergency on water, sanitation sector

    Buhari declares state of emergency on water, sanitation sector

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared a state of emergency on Nigeria’s water supply, sanitation and hygiene sector.

    Buhari made the declaration at the inauguration of the National Action Plan for Revitalisation of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector at State House Conference Centre on Thursday in Abuja.

    He directed governments at all levels to intensify efforts and work towards meeting the nation’s water supply and sanitation needs.

    Buhari warned that henceforth Federal Government’s support to state governments would be based on their commitment to implementing the National WASH Action Plan in their respective states and to end open defecation by 2025.

    The president said the declaration had become critical to reduce the high-prevalence of water-borne diseases in different parts of the country, which has caused preventable deaths.

    He described statistics on open defecation, access to piped water services and sanitation in the country as ”disturbing”.

    “Access to piped water services which was 32 per cent in 1990 has declined to seven per cent in 2015; access to improved sanitation has also decreased from 38 per cent in 1990 to 29 per cent in 2015.

    “Our country now ranks number two in the global rating on Open Defecation as about 25 per cent of our population are practicing open defecation.

    “WASH services at the rural areas are unsustainable as 46 per cent of all water schemes are non-functional, and the share of our spending on WASH sector has been declining from 0.70 per cent of the GDP in 1990 to about 0.27 per cent in 2015, which is far below the 0.70 per cent at the West African regional level,” Buhari said.

    The president restated that the provision of potable water supply, adequate sanitation and hygiene were primarily the responsibilities of State and Local Governments.

    According to him, water supply and sanitation are not being given the required attention judging from the high prevalence of water-borne diseases that are being reported in different parts of the country.

    He said that the stakeholders could not and would not continue to allow the preventable occurrences to decimate Nigeria’s population.

    Buhari said that he was aware that Nigeria did not meet the MDG targets for Water Supply and Sanitation that ended in 2015.

    “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets (6.1 and 6.2) for WASH are even more demanding as they require WASH services to be provided in adequate quantity and quality on premises at affordable prices.

    “This cannot be achieved if we continue with ‘a business as usual’ approach.

    “It is on this premise that I fully endorse the decision taken at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council in April this year to declare a State of Emergency on our WASH Sector.

    “I call on all state governments to complement this effort by according the sector similar recognition to enable us work together to achieve the SDG targets for WASH by 2030.’’

    At the federal level, Buhari pledged that his administration would continue to place priority on infrastructure development including those of water supply, sanitation and hygiene services towards ensuring a better life for Nigerians.

    According to him, the commitment is being demonstrated through faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) – which is the present administration’s blueprint for infrastructure and economic development.

    “From the inception of this administration, we have demonstrated serious commitment to the development of the Water Sector by preserving the Ministry of Water Resources and subsequently approving the 15-year roadmap developed for the sector.

    “The transformation being witnessed in the sector since then is highly commendable.

    “I have no doubt that the on-going initiatives including the implementation of the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) in the Ministry will take the water sector to improved performance and supply, thereby meeting the national aspirations as well as the SDGs,” he said.

    The event was attended by representatives of state governments and development partners.

  • Buhari to declare state of emergency on water, sanitation November 8

    Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari would declare a state of emergency on water and sanitation come November 8.
    Mr Adamu made the disclosure during the Special Town Hall Meeting of the Federal Government held at Emeritus Prof. Theophilus Ogunlesi Hall of University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan.
    The town hall meeting was aimed at briefing the people on the achievements of the Buhari-led administration in infrastructure development.
    “I wish to inform you that for the first time in Africa, President Buhari is going to declare state of emergency on water and sanitation, precisely on November 8.
    The minister lamented about several abandoned water projects across the federation under the past administrations and said that sum of N3 billion would be provided annually to states with workable water master plans.
    “The existing master plan on water resources in the country was abandoned and contracts were awarded without recourse to the needs of the country.
    “To realise adequate water supply, we would increase our intervention to support state governments to N3 billion annually. This would be for states that have proper water master plan,” he said.
    He said government would also return the monthly environmental sanitation to address issue of open defecation and other sanitation issues.
    He said the federal government was working round the clock to provide adequate water supply to communities and cities across Nigeria.
    The minister said the present administration had inaugurated many water projects, among which he said were to cater for power supply, irrigation dams and domestic water supply.
    He said, “It is a shame that today, there is no single city in this country that can boast of pipe-borne water supply and 100 per cent coverage to all the citizens.
    “This is why the president has decided to take up the responsibility of supporting water infrastructure in Nigeria.’’
    The minister also said that the federal government was working on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank to assist 6 cities in country on urban water supply.
    He added that government would also sign a partnership arrangement to improve on the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin to harness its full potential.
     

  • Delta Govt. gets nudge to spend N4.5bn on water supply in Warri

    Delta Govt. gets nudge to spend N4.5bn on water supply in Warri

    The Delta State House of Assembly has approved the sum of four billion, five hundred and forty nine million naira for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to expend on a water supply project in the township city of Warri.

    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports the House approved the sum at plenary sitting on Thursday after Speaker Sherriff Oborevwori read a consideration letter forwarded to the House by the Governor.

    According to the letter, Governor Okowa said the State Executive Council at its 19th meeting held on 14th November in 2017 approved the sum performance guarantee by Fidelity Bank on behalf of the state government and for the Delta State government to enter a Federal Government Support Agreement in respect of the Warri/Effurun Water Development Project Concession.

    He said the agreement essentially involved the state government granting an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order through the Federal Ministry of Finance to cover the termination amount pursuant to clause thirty one of the concession agreement among others.

    The House approved the request of the Governor following a motion moved by the Deputy Majority Oboro Preyor and seconded by Efe Ofobruku.

     

  • Six creative tricks to stay hydrated

    Six creative tricks to stay hydrated

    Everyone is always telling you to drink more water. It can be a struggle, for some people, to drink more water and to remind yourself to stay hydrated as well!

    Since water is essential to life, Jumia Food, Nigeria’s no 1 food ordering platform shares tricks to help you drink more water and stay hydrated.

    Keep them raw

    Raw fruits and veggies, in general, are loaded with water. This is good news because your body naturally craves raw foods. Enjoy produce as raw as possible throughout the summer and you’ll be hydrating like crazy. The water in fruits and veggies is where most of its nutrients lie, so eating them raw means you’re getting the best nutritional bang for your buck.

    Eat plenty of cucumbers

    Having a 95% water content makes a glass of cucumber juice just about as hydrating as a glass of water. Cucumbers are affordable, easy to find and versatile, making them a perfect summer hydration plant-food.

    Blend watermelon

    Named after its amazing abundance of water, watermelon is plant-based hydration perfection hidden in a big green ball. How do you know if you’ve grabbed a winning watermelon? Find one that feels heavy for its size and makes a hollow sound when you tap it.

    Freeze bananas

    Aside from being delicious, bananas are full of potassium, which replenishes lost electrolytes from sweating in the heat. Bananas also contain magnesium, which helps balance and regulates the fluids in your body. Their sugars provide instant energy, making them an awesome treat when the heat’s draining you. You can freeze bananas for 5 hours and blend them.

    Squeeze lemons

    You’ve surely heard of the numerous health benefits of warm lemon water, but in the summer heat, drinking warm water doesn’t sound all that appealing. So drink cool lemon water in the summer. The super hydrating benefits of vitamin C from the lemon still exist in cool lemon water.

    Make coconut water ice cubes

    Coconut water is very low in calories and sugar, which is deceptive because it tastes so sweet and luxurious! Enjoying coconut water is a phenomenal way to stay hydrated.