Experts raise alarm over threats to water quality in Niger

Experts Urge Immediate Action to Protect Water Resources in Niger State

NIGER STATE—Experts are raising alarms about the rising threats to water resources in Niger State due to pollution, climate change, and other human activities. They emphasize the need for urgent action to prevent further degradation of water bodies.

The concerns were voiced during a sensitization program focused on groundwater conservation, organized by the Future Earth Water Science Cluster Programme in collaboration with the Federal University of Technology (FUT) in Minna and the Niger State Ministry of Water Resources. The event took place near the Tagwai Dam and involved local students to foster environmental awareness and promote responsible water conservation practices.

Dr. Dan Hassan, a retired director of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, addressed attendees at FUT Model School. He highlighted that while water covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, only 2.5 percent of that is freshwater, with less than one percent readily available for human consumption.

“Nigeria is increasingly vulnerable to climate change,” Dr. Hassan warned, citing floods, droughts, pollution, rising temperatures, and declining groundwater as significant threats. He also pointed to the dangers posed by pollution from open defecation, untreated sewage, industrial waste, agricultural runoff, oil spills, and indiscriminate waste disposal, which can lead to serious health issues such as cholera and typhoid fever.

Dr. Hassan urged residents to safeguard water sources by eliminating improper waste disposal, adopting better sanitation practices, harvesting rainwater, and enhancing environmental hygiene.

Associate Professor Victoria I. Chukwuemeka, one of the program coordinators from the Hydrobiology Unit at FUT Minna, emphasized the importance of educating young people about environmental issues. She acknowledged that urbanization, industrial growth, and population increases are exerting additional pressure on rivers and water bodies.

Chukwuemeka also pointed to illegal mining activities as a contributor to water pollution, warning that harmful chemicals could contaminate water sources through runoff.

“Protecting water resources requires collective action from the government, institutions, and the public,” she stated.

Prof. Akobundo N. Amadi from the Department of Geology at FUT Minna noted the significance of Tagwai Dam as one of Minna’s primary water sources. He expressed concern that human activities and climate change have caused siltation in the reservoir, reducing its capacity and threatening local ecosystems.

Amadi mentioned ongoing collaboration between the university and the Niger State Ministry of Water Resources to develop scientific solutions for these challenges.

Philemon Danladi, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics at the Niger State Ministry of Water Resources, confirmed that the government has laws in place to protect reservoirs and is working to enhance their enforcement. He added that the state is collaborating with stakeholders to safeguard water sources and improve access to safe drinking water.

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