Ogun-Osun river basin seeks end to water waste
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority, Engr Adedeji Ashiru on Saturday led other members of staff of the agency on roadshow to demand for end to wastage of water resources to enhance sustainability.
The roadshow which kicked off from the OORBDA head office, Abeokuta was designed to mark the 2025 World Water Day with the theme “Glacier Preservation”
The O-ORBDA team during the sensitisation walk visited Camp, Gbonagun, Ake, and Kuto markets during the sensitisation talk and roadshow.
The MD lamented that Nigerian’s indiscriminate use and sheer waste of water is a threat to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal six which bothers on sanitation and clean water.
Addressing the residents of Camp area, Abeokuta during the roadshow, Ashiru said that the road show is to re-emphasise the need for everyone to be more committed to efficient use of water resources.
He explained “We are almost at the end of March yet the rain has not started, and we complain of so much heat as well, all of these have to do with how we mismanage our water resources.
“Some of us can use five buckets of water to bath, some will stay under showers for 20 to 30 minutes, some while washing their plates or brushing teeth will leave the tap running.
“The water of pipes some people had been damaged but will not fix it and rather allow the water to waste away.
“All these wastages and inefficient use of water are the reason for the challenge of global warming and climate change which is causing drought, irregular rain patterns, sometimes flood and lots of terrible impact on our food production efforts”
The MD urged Nigerians to henceforth use water responsibly and join the water conservation campaign team to make the world a better place.
Flagging off the celebration before embarking on the road show, Ashiru maintained that O-ORBDA under his leadership remained committed to its core mandate of developing and efficient management of water resources such that it will be available for safe drinking and for other agricultural purposes among others.
Speaking about the theme for this year’s celebration, Ashiru said glaciers are often regarded as nature’s water towers, storing vast amounts of freshwater in the form of ice and gradually releasing it into rivers and lakes, sustaining millions of lives worldwide.
He said these frozen reservoirs up in the sky contribute significantly to global water security, acting as buffers against droughts and ensuring a steady flow of water to communities, industries, and ecosystems.
The MD however explained that the world had begun witnessing alarming rates of glacier retreat due to climate change, rising global temperatures, threatening water availability, increasing sea levels, and disrupting weather patterns.
He stated “As we reflect on the urgency of glacier preservation and sustainable water management, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to taking proactive steps that safeguard our water resources for present and future generations.
“At OORBDA, we remain resolute in our dedication to sustainable development, and we call on policymakers, researchers, civil society, and all stakeholders to collaborate in fostering innovative solutions that will secure our water future”.
Speaking during the commissioning of a solar-powered borehole built by O-OORBDA at his palace, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo lauded Ashiru’s leadership for being committed to efficient management of water resources.
Oba Gbadebo while thanking the MD for the provision of the water facility also joined in the crusade for the efficient use of water urging Nigerians to desist from acts that amount to sheer waste of water.
