NIWRMC issues 125 licences for power, irrigation projects

The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission has issued licences to 125 applicants for the construction of hydropower generation plants, irrigation and water supply projects, among others.

According to the commission, when the projects are completed, they will boost the country’s power supply, improve access to portable water, and ensure adequate irrigation facilities for farmers in selected areas of the country.

The Executive Director, NIWRMC, Reuben Habu, who disclosed this at a conference on water use regulations, compliance, monitoring and enforcement framework in Abuja, stated, “We have issued 125 licences for irrigation, hydropower generation, thermal water generation and water supply.

“We are monitoring the activities of the licensees in order to ensure that they operate within the terms and conditions of the licences given them, and we believe that this will impact greatly on the Nigerian economy.”

Habu said the Federal Government had approved the licence regulation that gave the NIWRMC the mandate and powers to issue licences to prospective applicants for various water uses.

“It is worthy to note that this regulation derived its origin and power from Section 19 of the Water Resources Act Cap W2, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. Thus, the Water Resources Act has been in existence since 1993 as Decree 101,” he stated.

Habu noted that there was nothing new in the National Water Resources Bill currently before the National Assembly, adding that it was an amalgamation of all the laws on water in the country.

He also stated that the commission, in the course of carrying out its statutory mandate, observed that there were some function overlap among different agencies of government under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

This, he said, was why the NIWRMC decided “to bring together all relevant stakeholders to discuss and understand each other’s distinct roles and responsibilities, and form synergy that will lead to greater efficiency for the good of water regulation in Nigeria.”

Engr. OJIAKO VICTOR N.

Engr. Victor Ojiako, hails from Awka in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State. He is a diligent and dedicated officer. An astute gentleman with much vigor to excel in all fronts.

A graduate of Chemical Engineering from Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a member of Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) and member, Nigeria council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). He has served in various capacities in MDAs.

He was Director, Catchment Management and Water Utilization department of the Commission before his present position. He is happily married and blessed with  children.

Mrs. Chinwe Florence Anozie

Mrs. Chinwe Florence Anozie, hails from Aguata LGA of Anambra State. She is a hardworking and dedicated lady who has the fear of God and this has helped her in the discharge of her duties as a personnel manager. She has served in various capacities in MDAs as

Head of Administration/Personnel in the Defunct National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), State Secretary of National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP), Anambra State Office, Head of Discipline- Federal Ministry of Information, Assistant Director -Promotion –Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Deputy Director- General Services- Federal Ministry of Justice before her present position.  She is an Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Administrators. She is married and blessed with children.

SHAZALI UBA AJINGI

Shazali Uba Ajingi hails from Ajingi Local Government, Kano State. A graduate of Geography and Regional Planning, Post graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering with specialization in water Resources and environment all from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Msc.  in Disaster Management with specialization in water related Disaster Mitigation from National Graduate institute for policy studies (GRIPS), Tokyo, Japan.

He started his working career in October, 1999 as Hydro geologist with the Hadejia-jamare River basin Development authority (HJRBDA), Kano and served at various capacities until his redeployment to the Commission in July, 2010 where he was posted to Dutse (Lake chad Catchment office) to assist the catchment director and later in 2016 redeployed to Gusau (Niger – North Catchment Office) to head the office as Catchment Management officer.

JIMETA ABBO SAKINATU SULEIMAN

Mrs. Jimeta Abbo Sakinatu Suleiman hails from Yola North Local Government of Adamawa state. She is God Fearing and hardworking and dedicated to her work.

A graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Maiduguri and a member of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).     She has worked in different capacities in the MDAs such as Information Officer, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority. She was Head of Commercials at a time and also Water Factory Manager at Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority. At the Commission, she was the immediate past Director of the department of Allocation and Authorization. She is married and blessed with children.