FG moves to save Lake Chad from extinction

The Federal Government has announced measures to prevent the extinction of Lake Chad.

This was made by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, at the Water Summit and Exhibition held in Abuja.

Professor Utsev highlighted several initiatives, including a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Lake Chad Basin Commission and a Chinese company.

The MoU focuses on the proposed Inter Basin Water Transfer Project from the Congo Basin to Lake Chad. The Italian government has committed 1.5 million euros towards finalizing the feasibility study for this project.

He said the Federal Government has implemented the Hawal Inter-Basin Water Transfer Project to enhance water inflow to the Lake Chad Basin.

This project aims to augment the raw water supply to Alau Dam in Maiduguri, providing a more sustainable water source for Maiduguri and its environs. The second phase of this project will resuscitate the 60,000-hectare South Chad Irrigation Scheme, which has suffered from the continuous drying up of Lake Chad. Water will be diverted from Hawal to South Chad through canals and tunnels.

Professor Utsev also mentioned ongoing key projects under his ministry to improve access to safe and sufficient water.

These include the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) and the Sustainable Urban-Rural Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programs. These initiatives aim to enhance water supply and sanitation in both rural and urban areas.

The Minister expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its support in addressing the country’s water challenges.

He described the summit as timely, providing critical stakeholders in the water sector an opportunity to discuss climate-related challenges and sustainable technology solutions.

The ministry on Friday in a statement by media aide to minister quoted The World Bank representative Mr. Vinay Vutukuru has announced a $700,000 intervention to expand access to water supply and sanitation in Nigeria.