FG joins water convention, commits to transboundary cooperation | The Guardian Nigeria News

• Group advocates access to clean water
The Federal Government has taken a decisive step for cooperative water action by officially becoming the 48th party to the Convention on the Protection and Use of Trans-boundary Watercourses and International Lakes.

The government also plan to share at least one trans-boundary water body with each of its neighbouring states, making it an active cooperation and key part of transformative action needed to address complex water challenges.

Speaking at the opening day of the Conference in New York, United States, the Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, explained that water and climate change know no borders, adding that cooperation on adaptation is necessary to prevent negative effects.

Adamu also stated that unilateral adaptation measures would enable sharing of costs and benefits of such collaboration.

Also speaking, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Executive Secretary, Olga Algayerova and Convention Parties welcomed Nigeria as the 7th African nation to join the Convention since 2018 after Chad, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Togo and Cameroon.

He stated that its accession will further consolidate the strong momentum for water cooperation in the continent and worldwide, which over 20 countries are in the process of joining the UN Water Convention, including other 15 in Africa, where over 90 per cent of water resources are transboundary.

MEANWHILE, a group, Sightsavers Nigeria, has tasked stakeholders to ensure access to clean and safe water for Nigerians

In a statement by its Communications Associate, Joy Tarbo, to commemorate the 2023 World Water Day titled: “Valuing Water”, the group highlighted the importance of clean water access and its impact on eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

Tarbo said: ” We are calling on Nigerians to join the fight for clean water access by taking action to conserve water resources, promoting sustainable water management practices and advocating for policies that prioritise water access for all.”

Its country coordinator, Dr Teyil Wamyil-Mshelia, said: “It is important that we make sure there is safe water for everyone. As well as the need for safe drinking water, sanitation services are vital to treating and eliminating diseases like the NTDs.”