The Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu has called for the protection of area where water is collected, particularly in densely populated areas is no longer an option but a requirement.

He stated this while delivering a keynote address at the National Validation workshop on the ”Draft National Water Source Protection Policy 2020” in Abuja.

Adamu also noted that while Nigeria appeared to have abundant water resources, its sustainability had been threatened by some environmental factors. He said these included land degradation, deforestation, rapid population growth and other socio–economic development as well as climate change which.

In her opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Didi Walson-Jack, said the Draft National Water Source Protection Policy would address the challenges of the sector, noting that the past shortcomings in water resources policies, plans and laws had also been addressed.

Also, the Executive Director of the commission, Bashir Magashi said it had become pertinent to finalise the policy and speed up its approval to begin enforcement.