Authority urges protection, sustainable management of rivers
By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
The Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) has called for collective action to protect and sustainably manage Nigeria’s rivers.
The Managing Director of the authority, Mr Olusola Olumoroti, made the call on Monday in Ilorin at the commemoration of the 2026 World Rivers Day held at River Eruda.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the celebration is: “No Forest, No Rivers, No Water, No Life”.
Olumoroti said rivers were critical to agriculture, water supply, biodiversity, livelihoods and socio-economic development.
He said the authority was committed to developing and managing water resources within its catchment, including flood control, irrigation and watershed management.
“Today affords us an opportunity to reflect on the immense value of our rivers and the need to protect them from pollution, encroachment and indiscriminate waste disposal,” he said.
Olumoroti said River Eruda was chosen for the commemoration because of its importance to the people of Ilorin and the need to promote community ownership of river conservation.
He urged residents, especially those living around river banks, to stop dumping refuse into waterways and adopt environmentally friendly practices.
According to him, the authority would continue to collaborate with stakeholders to sensitise communities on river protection and promote effective utilisation of water resources.
The Chairman of LNRBDA, Alhaji Abdullateef Alakawa, said the commemoration was a reminder that rivers were lifelines that must be preserved.
Alakawa said there was a symbiotic relationship between rivers, forests and life, urging residents to take responsibility for protecting waterways.
“We must all take responsibility to maximise the benefits of protecting waterways by discouraging dumping refuse,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Planning, Investigation and Design of the authority, Mr Abolore Alanamu, said forests were essential to sustaining rivers and water resources.
Alanamu said deforestation threatened water bodies and livelihoods, noting that forests served as natural catchments and filters, prevented erosion, sustained water flow and supported biodiversity.
He called for collective action to safeguard rivers and ensure water security for future generations.
The traditional leader of Eruda community, Alhaji Saliu Mustapha, commended the authority for sensitising residents on river protection.
Mustapha pledged the community’s commitment to keeping the waterways free of refuse and other pollutants.
NAN reports that highlights of the programme included a sensitisation campaign, clean-up exercise along River Eruda and tree planting. (NAN)
