From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government, through has warned Nigerians to be mindful of the kind of water they drink to avoid further outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases in the country.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev who gave this warning during a news conference in Abuja, explained that most Nigerians water may have been contaminated by effects on flooding.
Professor Utsev who sympathised with the government and people of Brono State over the menace of the recent flood incident which has affected millions of Nigerians added that a technical team from the ministry and other agencies are already on ground to assess and profer lasting solutions to the effects.
“It should be noted however, that as we try to recover from this disaster, the water we drink may be contaminated, we should please be mindful of this, so as to avoid further outbreak of waterborne and communicable diseases” The Minister emphasized
Speaking on the Alau dam, Borno state, the Minister debunked the news making headlines on most dailies , saying it hasn’t collapsed.
He added that the flood disaster that affected Maiduguri and Jere areas of Borno State was largely due to overflow of water from Alau Dam which is about ten kilometers from Maiduguri city centre owing to massive inflow from Ngadda river, a major tributary of River Yedzaram.
“The team of technical experts from the Ministry, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) including Chad Basin Development Authority are physically on ground to assess the situation in Alau Dam and the extent of the flood disaster and come up with useful findings and recommendations. Reports of similar visits (in Bauchi, Sokoto and Kebbi States) have been produced and action is being taken” Professor Utsev stated.
The Minister further implored all government at the sub-national level and stakeholders to take heed to the flood early warning information from the Ministry and take proactive measures to forestall future flooding and activate response measures to alleviate the suffering of the citizens that have been affected by floods.
Professor Utsev therefore pledged continuous support of the federal government to the welfare of all Nigerians in these trying times.
