BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Bello Muhammed Goronyo has said that out of the Nigeria estimated population of about 200 million people, only 65% have access to basic drinking water.
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Goronyo who spoke at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) during the launching of the institution’s Faculty of Biological Sciences Bioresources Management Expo over the weekend, added that 45% of the people have basic access to sanitation while 10% have access to water, sanitation and hygiene.
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He pointed out that the situation is quite unpalatable and a threat to the limited and competitive water resources in the country and diaspora.
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Represented by a Director in All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Council, Chief Ferdinand Adie, the Minister said only effective management of the county’s water resources would help salvage the situation.
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“Water is an extreme sacred resources for existence of mankind. This is why Nigeria government is posed to establish systems and regulations that should deal with water for variety of uses, including agriculture, water supply and sanitation.
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“Water Resources Management is the process of planning and managing, in terms of both quantity and quality across all water uses.Water is a renewable source, but only when it’s properly managed.
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“Good water management minimizes damage to life and property as well as maximize efficient beneficial use”, he said.
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The Minister extolled University of Nigeria Nsukka for its commitments towards promoting national development through sustainable water and bioresources exploitation, emphasising
that the university has developed research model to address issues of climate change, water security, sanitation, food security and safety to enhance development and growth of Nigeria.
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He added that UNN has toed the line of the current administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR in ensuring food sufficiency in Nigeria.
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In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Charles Igwe, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Johnson Urama expressed gratitude to the minister for sparing his time to grace the occasion.
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He also commended the faculty of Biological Sciences of the institution for putting together the programme, pointing out that the faculty has been impressively working hard to break the jinx of dependency and unemployment among students and other members of the society through it’s Biopreneurship programme, where participants we’re trained on fish farming, fish processing for export, among others.
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“In as much as we have the responsibility of teaching students to acquire knowledge and skills, we also have the responsibility to empower the larger society to be self sustained.
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“The university of Nigeria Nsukka is glad that the faculty of Biological Sciences uses its programmes to initiate job creation, to make students more of job creators than job seekers”, he said.
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He appreciated the key strategic partners in the recent 8- week training programme in Biopreneureship, coordinated by the Faculty Consultancy Committee, saying that the university appreciates Harrison Ogara, member, representing Igbo-Eze South Constituency in Enugu State House of Assembly, Pastors Oluwayemi Isaiah and Beloved Dan Anike both of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Province 4, Nsukka for funding the training.
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On his part, the Dean Faculty of Biological sciences, Professor Emeka Nweze in an address, described the occasion as memorable in the annals of the faculty, adding that the programme would assist the faculty to forge a strategic relationship with both the Federal and State governments as well as other stakeholders in achieving wealth creation and better living conditions.
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Professor Nweze thanked the Faculty Consultancy Committee led by Dr. Nelson Ossai for their undaunted efforts towards the realization of the event.
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Speakers at the occasion, including Hon. Harrison Ogara, Oluwayemi Isaiah, Beloved Dan Anike and the Commissioner for Agriculture in Enugu State, Mr. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, represented by the Director of Engineering in the ministry, Engr. Godson Onugu, pledged to continue to work with the faculty and the institution at large.
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Among those that graced the occasion were Profs. Oscar Sabinus Eze and Jerry Ugwuanyi, both former Deans of the Faculty.
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The highpoints of the occasion were the recognition and honour to the Minister, flagging off of the faculty’s Biopreneurship training programme, the unveiling of the faculty’s consultancy strategic action plan, forging of strategic relationship with relevant agencies as well as exhibition of some exploits of the faculty in the areas of fish farming and production.
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The 8-week training was sponsored by the Faculty’s strategic partners, Hon. Harrison Ogara and Oluwayemi Isaiah who were issued with certificates of participation.
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