River basin authority urges protection of waterways to check environmental degradation

As the 2022 World Rivers Day was held on Sunday, the Upper Niger River Basin Development of Authority (UNRBDA) said it had positively impacted the immediate environment by protecting the waterways from pollution.

The Managing Director, Prof. Mohammed Abdulkarim Aliyu, during the celebration at the organisation’s headquarters at Tudun Fulani, Bosso Local Council of Niger State, noted that when the rivers are safe, human life is also safe.

Represented by Executive Director, Agric Services, Josiah Ibrahim, the MD said: “By the time our rivers are polluted, it will have an adverse effect on our individual life and the entire community.

“We should all be awake and protect our rivers and other waterways from pollution.”

He advised the people against dumping refuse on waterways and defecating into rivers to check degradation.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, who represented the Deputy Governor, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, lauded UNRBDA management for uplifting the living standard of riverine communities through irrigation schemes, assuring the Authority of the state government’s continued synergy.