FG, UNICEF partner states on climate change, WASH sector
The Federal Government in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
‘have resolve to partner states to find holistic solution on how to tackle the effects of climate change in the water and sector.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, revealed this while declaring open a 3-day National Workshop on State Action Plan on Climate Change, Tuesday in Abuja.
The minister emphasised the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop holistic solutions to tackle the challenges posed by climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions and synthetic chemicals.
He noted that with climate change affecting various aspects of human endeavours, including food sources, infrastructure, livelihoods, and health, with profound and far-reaching implications for water resources and ecosystem degradation there is urgent need to take decisive action to mitigate the devastating its effects.
During the workshop, the Permanent Secretary, represented by Director Hydrology and Climate Change, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Mukaila Babarinde said Nigeria was in dire need of access to basic hygiene services, emphasising the urgent need for action to address climate change impacts on water resources, given the evident vulnerabilities across the country.
According to him, climate change impacts are already affecting Nigeria’s water resources, with worsening drought conditions and declining groundwater levels in the North, and irregular rainfall and flash floods in the Central and Southern regions.
Shinkafi emphasized the risk of damage to water infrastructure due to floods, highlighting the necessity for strategic actions to enhance the sector’s resilience to climate risks.
UNICEF Chief of WASH, Dr. Jane Bevan, also highlighted the vulnerability of water resources in the face of climate change-induced extreme droughts, floods, and diseases like cholera due to higher temperatures.
She also said the availability of funding from various large organizations globally to support climate change adaptation efforts in regions like West Africa and the Central Sahel.
She added that accessing this funding involves clear plans at both National and State levels, along with a climate rationale, which are prerequisites for funding from sources like the Green Climate Fund.
