The federal government and water sector stakeholders have expressed concerns about the growing risks climate change poses to water facilities nationwide. This issue was highlighted during the Assessment of Validation Workshop on Climate Change Resilient Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Facilities Designs in Abuja.
Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, opened the workshop by noting that current WASH facilities are highly vulnerable to climate impacts. He pointed out that northern Nigeria faces worsening droughts and declining groundwater levels, while the central and southern regions experience erratic rainfall and flash floods.
Pheelangwah emphasized that the workshop aims to develop technical designs for WASH facilities that meet global standards and enhance climate resilience. He stressed the importance of creating durable and sustainable infrastructure in light of climate change effects.
“Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges humanity faces. Nigeria must adapt to these changes. This meeting will help us create technical designs that are climate-resilient, gender-sensitive, and inclusive of people with disabilities,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary also noted Nigeria’s commitment to achieving universal access to sustainable WASH services by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6 targets. He highlighted that declining water availability and increasing risks from floods necessitate strategic actions to enhance the sector’s resilience.
“Climate change threatens WASH facilities significantly. Increased flooding can damage infrastructure, degrade catchments, and contaminate water supplies, while droughts reduce water availability and degrade water quality,” he warned.
Mr. Mukaili Babarinde, Director of Supply and Support Services, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to address these challenges. He noted that the validation workshop would allow stakeholders to review and propose resilient technical designs.
“Climate change is a global threat, and our current WASH facilities are at risk. This review is crucial for adapting existing designs to meet the challenges posed by a changing climate,” Babarinde said.
UNICEF WASH Manager, Mr. Chironjibi Tiwari, underscored the importance of revising WASH facilities to address climate challenges effectively.
Mr. Emmanuel Esly, General Manager of the Adamawa State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, echoed the need for collective solutions to overcome current sector challenges.
The workshop aims to foster collaboration and innovation in designing WASH facilities that can withstand climate change impacts and support community resilience.
