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COMMUNIQUÉ ON SYMPOSIUM ORGANISED BY
FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION IN NIGERIA (FEDEN)/LEAD-NIGERIA
TO COMMEMORATE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY HELD AT CHIC AFIQUE HOUSE, 3
THORBURN AVENUE, YABA, LAGOS ON JUNE 5, 2003
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1.
The symposium commenced
with an opening address by the Director/Chief Executive Officer,
FEDEN/LEAD-Nigeria – Professor Adeniyi Osuntogun. He highlighted
the purpose of the symposium, as part of Foundation for
Environmental Development and Education in Nigeria’s (FEDEN)
environmental awareness and education activities, and a fulfillment
of the United Nation’s General Assembly’s Resolution 2997, which
encourages Governments and Organizations Worldwide, to undertake
annually, activities reaffirming their commitment to the
preservation of the environment for present and future generations.
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The global theme for this year’s
World Environment Day – “WATER: Two Billion are Dying for it”,
emphasizes the importance of water globally and in Nigeria. Water
Resources Management is important for achieving sustainable
development. It was for this reason the Symposium was titled
“Harnessing Nigeria’s Water Resources Towards Water Security:
Lessons from the Mexico Experience”.
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The Panelist were LEAD Fellows
and Associates who are professionals from various sectors and
discipline who recently undertook study visits to Mexico, where they
had opportunity to observe and explore the merits and challenges of
managing threatened water resources, the impacts on sustainability
and efforts being made to mitigate negative impacts and working
towards water security.
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The main objectives of the
Symposium include:
(i)
Providing a forum to share
experiences and draw attention to lessons for Nigeria;
(ii)
Home coming for members of
the LEAD-Nigeria family
Why Mexico?
Mexico share a lot in common with
Nigeria as a developing country with its high population and it is
also an oil producing country. Most importantly, Mexico is one of the
seven pioneer LEAD Countries.
The Panelist did justice to the
topic of the Symposium – “Harnessing Nigeria’s Water Resources Towards
Water Security: Lesson from the Mexico Experience”.
The Panelists addressed four
sub-themes:
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“Managing Urban Water for
Sustainable Development”
Dr. T. Ogundipe/Engr. T. Oloko
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Green Waters and
Environmental Services for Sustainable Development – Mrs. B. Odeneye/Mr.
B. Oghifo
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Managing Coastal Water
Resources for Sustainable Development – Mrs. A. Adeyemo
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Wetland, Rural Waters and
Lake Ecosystem for Sustainable Development – Engr. W. Sadiq/Mr. T.
Eyitsede
The discussants, highlighted the
problems shared by both countries some of which were:
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Issues of weak/non enforcement
of Legislations on Water Resources Management as observed in some
sites visited in Mexico;
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Poor Water Pricing as observed
in some sites;
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Unharmonized stakeholders
responsibilities;
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Poor waste water management;
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Non maintenance of
infrastructural facilities for waste water management and water
transportation to end user
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Human activities that affect the
Water Ecosystem
Of particular interest is the
STATE OF AGUASCALIENTES used as a model state for the implementation
of Water Resources Management. The state is said to record no case of
health hazards resulting from Water Sanitation. This is as a result
of it’s enviable water resources management systems in place:
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The city is said to be located
in an arid area, water is conserved in Dams for domestic and
irrigation use.
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There is a harmonized
stakeholders forum with Federal, State and Local Government working
together.
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Storm water drainage is
separated from Sanitary Drainage;
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State Government monitor the
construction of boreholes and regulate water usage;
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There exists a functional
Central Municipal waste treatment plant;
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Best Practices are adopted for
Water Resource Management;
Lessons drawn from Mexico
Experience is summarize as follows:
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There is a great commitment to
the Environment and patrotism to the Country in Mexico;
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There is a need to train Water
Management professionals to enhance proper Water Resource
Management;
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There is the need to adopt Best
Practices Technique for Water Resource Management;
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The need for Environmental
Awareness to address the attitudinal problems of individual to
environmental issues;
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There is the need for harmonized
stakeholders forum involving clear responsibilities of all parties
on the issue of Water Resources Management;
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Better maintenance of
infrastructural facilities e.g. Central Sewage System, distribution
pipes etc.
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Increased communal participation
in regulatory activities to maintain Water Resources e.g. Coastline
habitats (forests, coral reef etc.)
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Involvement of Youth in the
creation/conservation of aquatic park.
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Proper waste management
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Policies and Awareness training
to prevent pollution of water bodies
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Proper Water Pricing/Water Right
allocation.
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Water issues should be given
high priority in Political Agenda
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Expand Rain Harvest for
Irrigation and domestic use
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The manage of water should be
regulated and properly monitored.
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Involvement of the private
sector in the conservation and management of Water Resources.
In conclusion, the Symposium was
rewarding, as it created another opportunity for the participants
especially the student to be informed and educated on water issues and
Water Resources Management. |
