FG MARKS WORLD RIVERS DAY, CALLS FOR FOREST PROTECTION FOR WATER SECURITY

The Federal Government has marked World Rivers Day with a call to protect forests and rivers to ensure water security.

‎The Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation held the event on Monday in Abuja. The theme was “No Forests, No Rivers; No Water, No Life.” The ministry held a media briefing and cleaned up Wupa River in Gbesa Community, where it also planted trees.

Water Resources Minister Professor Joseph Utsev said rivers support agriculture, food security and livelihoods, but face threats from pollution, waste dumping, erosion and climate change. He said the ministry will strengthen water management and water quality monitoring.

He added that 179 local government areas are now Open Defecation Free and over 5,000 public toilets have been built nationwide.

Director overseeing the Permanent Secretary, Engineer Ali Dallah, and Director of River Basin Operations, Engineer Christy Oduh, said protecting rivers is key to food and national development and needs collective action.