By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has concluded a pivotal two-day retreat aimed at redefining and mapping out its operational strategies for the next four years. The retreat held recently at the NIHSA Headquarters in Abuja.
The retreat focused on enhancing the agency’s mandate to assess the nation’s surface and groundwater resources, ensuring efficient and sustainable management of these critical assets.
Participants at the retreat included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation (FMWR&S), the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), FIFABS Consultancy, and NIHSA itself. The event featured insightful presentations from experts, including a paper on “Flood and Drought Mitigation Strategies” by Prof. I. L. Bashir and another on “Nigeria Drainage Pattern and Flood Events” by Prof. E. A. Adanu.
Key discussions during the retreat highlighted pressing issues such as the functionality of Nigeria’s dams and the potential introduction of lock dams as a flood control strategy. Participants also addressed challenges faced by the Great Green Wall (GGW) project, particularly regarding tree planting efforts in the Sahara Desert and the critical shortage of water in northern regions.
Furthermore, the retreat explored innovative solutions including the possibility of desalinating fresh waters in southern Nigeria and conducting nationwide flood vulnerability mapping to identify and manage flood-prone areas effectively.
A significant focus was placed on the recharging of Lake Chad and correcting misconceptions regarding flood causes in the Benue River Basin, particularly the assumption that flooding is primarily due to water releases from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. The discussions led to several resolutions:
1. It was concluded that transferring water from the Congo Basin to recharge Lake Chad is not feasible due to scientific, political, and economic challenges.
2. Participants emphasized the importance of identifying recharge zones within river basins to channel excess floodwaters for alternative uses.
3. There was a strong call for enhanced tree planting initiatives in the Sahel region to combat desertification and drought.
4. The need for the government to provide alternative energy sources to mitigate deforestation was also underscored.
5. Participants advocated for river training and desilting of river channels to reduce flooding risks.
The retreat concluded with a commitment to enhance NIHSA’s capacity in collaboration with local and international organizations to promote research and optimize water resource management in Nigeria. A follow-up engagement was recommended to delve deeper into water policies, ensuring better understanding and implementation of the strategies discussed.
This strategic retreat marks a significant step forward in NIHSA’s efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s water resources and address the challenges posed by climate change, urbanization, and environmental degradation.