By Abbas Nazil
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has called for strengthened inter-agency collaborations to tackle environmental challenges across Nigeria.
He made the call during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Hydro-Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), Abubakar Sadiq, and his team at the Ministry’s office in Abuja.
Lawal emphasized that coordinated efforts between government agencies are essential to addressing critical environmental and developmental issues affecting communities, particularly those impacted by hydroelectric dams.
Among the key areas he highlighted for collaboration is climate-resilient water supply and sanitation (WASH), a program aimed at providing year-round access to safe, reliable, and clean water and sanitation services in dam-affected communities.
The minister noted that improved water and sanitation access would not only enhance public health but also significantly reduce water-borne diseases in vulnerable populations.
In the area of clean cooking, Lawal stressed that distributing energy-efficient cooking stoves to households in hydro-basin communities would help reduce household energy poverty, deforestation, and emissions.
He explained that the adoption of energy-saving cooking technologies would benefit households as well as agro-processing clusters across the country, contributing to both environmental sustainability and economic resilience.
Other priority areas for collaboration identified by the minister include erosion and flood management, ecosystem restoration, afforestation programs, climate-resilient agricultural practices, youth and community engagement, job creation, and public awareness initiatives.
Lawal noted that such inter-agency partnerships would leverage resources, expertise, and local knowledge to maximize the impact of environmental and developmental interventions nationwide.
He described inter-agency cooperation as critical for achieving long-term environmental sustainability, mitigating climate risks, and ensuring inclusive socio-economic development in communities affected by hydroelectric projects.
In his remarks, the N-HYPPADEC Director-General, Abubakar Sadiq, described his commission as a strategic partner to the Ministry of Environment in addressing challenges linked to dam-affected areas.
Sadiq highlighted the commission’s achievements, including improvements in water supply, sanitation, housing, youth empowerment, water transport safety, and institutional strengthening.
He commended the minister and the Ministry team for their timely interventions during flood warnings and their prompt response to erosion, flood-prone areas, and pollution management challenges across the country.
The Director-General emphasized that sustained collaboration between N-HYPPADEC and the Ministry of Environment would enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of programs aimed at environmental protection, community development, and climate resilience.
N-HYPPADEC has regional offices in Lokoja, Birnin Kebbi, Ilorin, Lafia, Jos, Gombe, Jalingo, Makurdi, Kaduna, and its headquarters in Minna, Niger State, providing a broad operational network for implementing collaborative initiatives.
Both parties affirmed their commitment to joint planning, resource sharing, and continuous engagement with stakeholders to strengthen environmental governance and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
