The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu has hailed the Executive Director, Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), Engr. Magashi Umar Bashir on achievements. He made this disclosure on Thursday during an inspection visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The Minister who was conducted round the Commission’s facilities by the Executive Director and Top Management Staff of the Commission, extols the leadership of the Commission for working dispassionately in order to reposition the water sector.

Adamu noted that the Commission was an important arm of the Ministry that should be given its independence when the National Water Resources Bill scales through. He urged staff of the Commission not to despair at the current development and politicisation of the Bill at the National Assembly.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources was established in May 2007, following the setting up of a committee on Federal Government Public Reforms. The objective and mandate of the Commission is to regulate, protect, conserve and control water sources for equitable socio-economic development.

However, the Bill which seeks to grant the Commission the much needed legal backing was stalled in the 9th National Assembly, as many have since described the move as an attempt by the Federal Government to usurp the power of State Governments.

The helmsman of the Commission, Engr. Magashi while reeling out the Commission’s achievements said, “It has given out 86 water use licenses to companies using raw bulk water, within the eight years of President Buhari administration”. He added that the Commission has also given demand notices to 76 companies using raw water in pursuit of its enhanced revenue generation agenda to an expected income of N823 million. Continuing: the Executive Director said the Commission had partnered with the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to investigate cases of violation of the Water Resources Act, noting that it had yielded positive results.

The Commission is Boss emphasised the need for exercising regulations oversight over water abstraction and water related activities, stating that current regulations had led to the revalidation of 50 licenses for users of bulk water. According to him, monitoring activities of the licensees would ensure that they operate within the terms and conditions, and would impact greatly on the Nigerian economy.

His words: “We as a Commission being aware of the revenue deficit in the nation’s revenue need are determined to make sure users of raw bulk water pay the appropriate charges. It is hoped that with all the efforts committed thus far, the Water Resources Bill will see the light of the day soon and effective implementation of the regulations of water resources can be possible”.

Reacting, the Minister said, those calling it ‘a buhari bill’ would have a change of heart soon, saying its aim was to make sure that the nation’s water sector remained competitive and regulated for the overall benefit of all. “The National Water Resources Bill is not a Buhari bill, those calling it all sorts of things are either misinformed, ignorant or mischievous; adding that it’s all dirty politics. Delaying its passage is denying the benefits accrued to the people”. He asserted.

The Minister expressed optimism that his successor would give the Commission the needed support to enable it carry out its mandate on integrated water management.

 

 

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.