Stakeholders have advised federal government to start immediate dredging of River Niger, River Benue and other rivers across Nigeria to curb the challenges of perennial flooding and its resultant loss of lives and properties.
The event, held by stakeholders in charge of water sanitation and hygiene in Nigeria with the theme: ‘WASH’ Achieving SDG’s Through Independent Evaluation & Mutual Accountability.
While speaking with journalists, Chairman National Coordinator of Courage Nigeria Livelihood Programme, Mr. Michael Ale decried the poor state of the basic infrastructure needed to curb seasonal flooding which has been neglected over decades.
He called for an urgent action by the federal government to provide channels for all dams in the country.
Ale commended Oyo State Government for taking proactive measures in expansion of bridges and culverts in the state which has curbed the issues of flooding in the state.
In his message the guest lecturer, the National Project Coordinator, Nigeria Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH), Engineer Abdul-Hamid Gwaram explained that SURWASH is a programme development objective to increase access to water sanitation and hygiene services and to strengthen the institution in some selected states in the country.
He encouraged Nigerians to ensure they make use of toilet and shun open defecation for the provision of safe and clean water.
In his remark, the chairman of the Nigerian Association of Evaluators Caretaker Committee, Dr. Sulaiman Adediran admonished Nigerians to make sure they they do geophysics study before building structure on a piece of land to ascertain where to get water.
He further said that the association is ready to partner with government in order to involve in monitoring and evaluation of policy programmes and projects.
The highlight of the event was the launch of Male Integrated website, www.drillnow.com by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Michael Ale.