‘Climate change making water more erratic’

The Association of Water Well Drilling Rig Owner and Practitioners (AWDROP) says climate change is making water more erratic, saying as societies balance the demands on water resources, many people’s interests are not being taken into account.

President of AWDROP, Michael Ale, who stated this in a chat with Daily Trust on Tuesday in commemoration of World Water Day, noted that Nigerians risk mismanaging finite, irreplaceable resources if values of water are overlooked.

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Ale, who is a development expert and co-founder of the Global Initiative for Nigeria Development (GIND), stressed that it is paramount for the government at all levels to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.

“The value of water is about much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. If we overlook any of these values, we risk mismanaging this finite, irreplaceable resource.

“SDG 6 is to ensure water and sanitation for all.

“Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone,” AWDROP President said.

He added that perpetuity of WASH – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services – will also add value in the form of greater health, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.