NIWRMC Inaugurates Technical Committee to Develop Policy Framework on Water Use Metering Equipment

The Executive Director of Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), Engr. Magashi Umar Bashir has on Wednesday inaugurated A-10 Man Technical Committee at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The Committee which is charged with the responsibility of developing a policy framework on Water Use Metering Equipment and other ancillary equipment for importers and manufacturers, has its members drawn from the academia, public and private sectors respectively.

The Director Water Allocation and Authorisation, Mr. Shazali Uba Ajingi in his welcome remarks said, water metering including its associated equipment is a method that helps users to account for the quantity of water consumed. Whilst noting that it is a public water resources management component aimed at monitoring water usage in order to reduce rate of consumption and waste. He noted that there is an improper management of water meters and data information which has resulted in increased water loss, with the attendant reduction in the nation’s revenue.

Consequently, the policy when developed, he said, is expected to: provide procedures for a standard water metering and ancillary equipment that will enhance the management, operation and maintenance of the Nigerian water sector; develop general requirements, standards and specifications for importation or manufacturers of all water metering and other ancillary equipment for use in the Nigerian water sector and make mandatory scheduled and regular maintenance as well as recalibration of installed water metering and ancillary equipment in the country to ensure accurate readings and effective functioning.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), had in 2021 submitted an action memorandum to the National Council on Water Resources seeking approval to develop a policy framework on water use metering equipment and other ancillary equipment (surface and groundwater) for importers and manufacturers. This is in line with its mandate of regulating, protecting, conserving and controlling water sources for equitable socio-economic development. Interestingly, the project was approved by the National Council on Water Resources at its 28th Meeting in Abuja on 21st December, 2021.

While delivering his key note address, the Executive Director, Engr. Magashi stated that very few facilities in the country are currently having metering devices installed; stressing that the internal components of these devices usually wear off, thus reducing the level of their accuracy and efficiency. He posited therefore, that this progressive drop in metering accuracy would in most cases result in revenue loss due to under-accounting of the volume of used water. He maintained that this underscores the need for occasional maintenance and recalibration of installed meters.

Accordingly, the objective of the policy framework is to contribute towards the development of an effective water metering equipment and other ancillary equipment for use by the Commission and other agencies where public water supply is viable. He expressed optimism that States and their Agencies, LGAs as well as private entities will use the policy document as a tool to ensure standard water metering equipment for proper regulations.

The Executive Director urged members of the committee to contribute meaningfully so as to craft an acceptable policy documents on all metering and other ancillary equipment for usage with a view to engendering proper regulations in the Nation’s water sector.

 

Sampson Ikemitang

Head (Press & Public Relations)

 

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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.