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FG to commence effective water resources management, makes new strategies

By David Abellegah on January 7, 2013

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe

In its effort to facilitate an effective management of water resources in the country, the Federal Government has commenced an urgent review of its strategies.

The development was made public on Friday in Abuja by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe.

Speaking on the issue during a strategic meeting for performance and agenda setting for 2013, she said, the development would help the Ministry to effectively fulfil its mandate.

Last year the meeting was held later in the year, around the second quarter of the year but it came up earlier this year because the government is currently working on examining the impact of flooding and its effects on the country.

The minister who was excited about the move said it would help strengthen the governments ability to create and control date in the water sector.

Adding she said, it would help reduce unforeseen circumstances in the management of existing dams in the country.

She said, “We will, among other things, lay emphasis on strengthening internal capacity to deliver adequately on our mandate through training and skills development and engagement of consultants (where necessary), prioritise ongoing projects to ensure early completion, rehabilitation of existing ones and review current policy framework and enforcement.”

Furthermore, she said the strategies will be unveiled and made available to FEC during its coming meeting on the 9th of January.

According to her “We have convened this review meeting so early in the year, first, because the events ending the year left us all demoralised; so, we couldn’t hold such a review.

“Secondly, the sectoral presentations have already commenced at the FEC, and we are slated for January 9, 2013. You will recall that ministers signed a performance agreement with Mr. President in August on the premise that we will give a progress report of our performance at the end of the year.”

The Minister said the major programs the minister had arranged for the year are but not limited to augmenting access to portable water, sanitising the ecosystem by promoting the essence of fresh water, resource management and irrigation.

The Minister regretted the effects flooding had on some parts of the country last year and promised that the ministry would commence effective management to remove risk during possible heavy downpour.

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