The National Water (NWP) provides a framework for addressing challenges in water resources management and conservation in Nigeria. Challenges include: inadequate catchment management and widespread pollution, including the indiscriminate disposal of hazardous substances; limited groundwater availability in the areas of the country underlain by crystalline rocks and heavy and uncontrolled groundwater exploitation in the more productive sedimentary areas; poor watershed management, deteriorating water quality, drought and desertification; water-related diseases. The NWP seeks to achieve, among other things: clear and coherent regulation; clear definitions of the functions and relationship of sector institutions; better funding; reliable and adequate data for planning and projections; decentralization in order to boost efficiency, performance and sustainability; autonomy of water supply agencies; public awareness about water conservation and management; provision of stable and adequate power supply; accountability; technical and financial capacity building to efficiently manage water delivery systems; human resource development. The first part of the NWP sets the Nigerian context and the process in which the Policy is being produced, and outlines the issues to which it is responding. It covers the social, political, economic and development context in Nigeria, as well as relevant international developments around water policy and management approaches. The second part deals specifically with the new national Water Policy in Nigeria. It sets out the broad policy vision, addressing specific aspects of water management as well as indicating the institutional arrangements that will be necessary to implement the policy. Finally, the way forward for the development of new legislation and implementation of the new policy is outlined. The Policy sets out international trends and agreements in water policy, policy objective and principles. Objectives and strategies are formulated for water resources management and include, among other things water resource assessment of both surface water and groundwater; manpower development and capacity building; transboundary waters; institutional arrangements and management at basin and catchment level; the legal regulatory framework; private sector participation; monitoring and evaluation of water projects; compliance with environmental requirements. Sectoral policy outlines are made for water supply and sanitation; dams and reservoirs; irrigation and drainage; other uses such as hydropower generation, inland navigation, fisheries and livestock. The policy outlines stated here are oriented towards the environmental aspects of these sectors. All sectors dealt with in this Policy may be subject of individual policies.
Nigeria · 2004-07-01