THE NEED TO CONSERVE WATER HIGHLIGHTED ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD WATER DAY
The need to conserve and promote sustainable management of fresh water has been advocated as the global community commemorates World Water Day. No doubt water is a valuable natural resource that plays a pivotal role in human existence and the Ecosystem. This is why the United Nations General Assembly since 1993 designated every twenty second of March as World Water Day.
The day raises awareness on the importance of freshwater and the need to reduce, recycle and reuse waste water. According to the UN, water which is necessary for achieving the 6.3 Sustainable Development Goal target which are, improving the quality of water, reducing, treating and re-using waste water should not be wasted.
Highlighting the relevance of this year’s theme “Why waste water”, the Managing Director, Enugu State Water Corporation, Mr. Chidozie Eze, explained why Nigerians should avoid wasting water, considering the level of efforts and finance required to generate portable water. Mr Uche further emphaized that liquid waste materials inform of urine, excreta, stagnant water are collected, recycled and treated as water for safe use.
‘’If you are wasting water, then you are wasting a commodity that costs a lot of money to produce. Overseas, waste water is recycled and people use it and that is why the whole world is calling on all of us not to waste water . For Enugu, our major source which is Ajali, is over 40km away from here and the second one which is Oji River Augumentation Scheme is almost the same distance. We are appealing to people once you finish fetching water, lock the taps’’.
Reacting to the development, the Director Academic Planning, Enugu State College of Education Technical, Mr. Chidi Ozochi, observed that some states in the country suffer from acute fresh water scarcity especially during the dry season.
‘’Incidentally, some states with water still lack water like Rivers State, Bayelsa State because this water is not for domestic purposes and is not in high demand. Therefore, as long as there is so many water around, there is still demand for water in those areas.’’ InEnugu State, water is a very rear commodity as most part of the state lack water neither do they have streams as an alternative . If you are in an area where there is water, the culture of managing it will not be there’’.
A parent, Chief James Ugwu noted that parents most times fail to teach or monitor their children’s water usage with a view of avoiding wastage.
‘’It really means they need to re-orientate people to know the cost and how essential water is. No water at any level shuld be wasted.’’
Chief Ugwu suggested that government should do more to create awareness and educate Nigerians on the benefits of consuming water. Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government is resuscitating old water schemes and strengthening collaboration with development partners, to achieve great reticulation of pipe borne water to urban and sub-urban centres.
The StateCommissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Charles Egumgbe who made this known in Enugu, announced that the state government was also laying emphasis on drilling boreholes and water reservoirs in rural communities and ensuring that they embrace best hygiene practices to ensure clean streams. Speaking on the significance of the day,the officer in charge of UNICEF, Field office, Enugu, Mr. Amose Kudzala enjoined Government at all levels to implement eco-friendly policies that promote clean water in rural and urban areas.
EVENLY AWUNOR & EMEFIENA OKONKWO