To ensure collective realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs), United Nations Educational, Science and Cultural Organisation, (UNESCO) and the Federal Government, have agreed to find lasting solutions for sustainable security and management of finite resources.

Regional Director, UNESCO Dakar Regional Office and Officer in Charge of Abuja Regional Office, Dimitri Sanga, said finite resources such as groundwater and other natural resources play significant role in supporting ecosystems, livelihoods, human communities and agriculture.

He made this known at a Two-day inception workshop on Improving Groundwater Governance Towards Achieving Sustainable Water Security and Human Settlement in Nigeria, yesterday in Abuja.

He said “Most rural and urban human settlements in Africa and indeed Nigeria are dependent on groundwater because it is locally available, drought resilient and has quality requiring minimal treatment”

Represented by the Head of Science Sector, UNESCO office, Abuja, Dr. Enang Moma, he said “It is envisaged that the implementation of the sub-project will improve Knowledge based Management and governance of groundwater resource to support Nigeria in achieving sustainable water security for human settlements as well as build resilience.”

Director General, National Water Resource Institute, (NWRI), Kaduna, Professor Emmanuel Adanu, the world is recognising the importance of groundwater due to its importance to human living.

He explained that the key terms under discussion are groundwater, Governance which consists social, economic, political and environmental while the other key words are sustainability and water security which refers to its availability, good quality among others.