Engineers Task Nigerian Govt. On Dams, Water Projects

The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers NIWE has called for the application of data and technologies for effective integrated water resources management to maximise economic and social benefits for the country.

Director of Engineering in the Lower Benue Basin Development Authority in Makurdi, Benue State, Valerie Judit Omale, said the major challenge facing the Lower Benue River Basin Authority was funding.

She said this at the 5th NIWE International Water Conference  in Abuja, with the theme, “Application of Data and Technology for Effective Integrated Water Resource Management”, was organised by NIWE with support from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, NiMet, NIHSA, UNESCO and other stakeholders.

“There are many projects we have started, especially the construction of Dams, control of irrigation projects, etc, trying to make sure that underground water is safe, sufficient and clean for the people.

“Before it would be completed, you would find out that resources appropriated don’t come every year and because of that, some projects are abandoned and some take so much time to be completed.

“The Ministry of Water Resources and the River Basins are working tirelessly to make sure Nigerians have safe and portable drinking water for their industrial and domestic use.

“We are calling for more funding for River Basins so that we will be able to produce enough water through the construction of Dams and stop the wastage of water,” Omale said.

The Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers is a division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

In line with its mandate on continuous professional development, the Institution holds International Water Conference annually on topical issues in the water sub-sector with a view to bring to front burner existing issues, problems, challenges and possible solutions or recommendations on the way forward.