In a bid to conserve the Wetlands, the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC) has brought together members of the Committee on the Development of Conservation Plans and Management of Wetlands in Nigeria for better livelihoods and protection of nature.
Wetlands are “areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season”. The benefits of Wetlands include improving livelihood in fishing and aquaculture, boosting tourism, serving against flooding, removing pollutants, boosting the local water supply, protecting species living in wetlands and attracting the wildlife.
The Acting Executive Director, NIWRMC Mrs Sakinatu Abbo Jimeta while delivering her keynote address at the Committee meeting in Kano said Wetlands assessment is an important part of the wetland policy process.
Speaking during the meeting, she said “there is a close relationship between wetland assessment and wetland monitoring, with assessment sometimes relying on the results of monitoring and monitoring being triggered by the results of an assessment.
A range of assessment types have been developed, each with its own focus and applicability, ranging from hydrological, biological, functional and integrated assessments to vulnerability assessment”, she added.
Mrs. Jimeta in her words said “the focus of this assessment is on a preliminary scale which helps determine the potentials or threats posed on this particular wetland, Baturiya hydrology, which is our major concern as it borders on our mandate as a Commission, as well as the Biological and Soil compositions which highlights features of a wetland. These will help guide relevant conversation plans and management to be administered on this wetland.”
Members of the Committee in a group photograph at the meeting in Kano
The Acting Executive Director remarked that the aim is to use this year for preliminary assessment of the wetlands using Baturiya as a pilot site which would give the basis for threats and potential identification, status determination, gap analysis and other relevant information that would serve as basis for appropriate responses and interventions.
The Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Muslim Idris made a presentation on ‘Global Water Resources Management Balance, the Need for Nigeria to know Input and Output for Better Policy Formulation and Implementation’.
Professor Georgina Samuel made a presentation on ‘Biodiversity Assessment of the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands’.
Dr. Isa Suleiman Dutse presented on ‘Brief on Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands: Threats, Values and Potentials.’
‘Wetland Identification using GIS and Remote Sensing Techniques’ was presented by Dr. Sadiq Muktar.
Fatimah Yusuf
Head (Press & PR)