Nigeria: Government, fish farmers seek truce over water crisis

Published 2024년 5월 25일

Tridge summary

The Kwara State government and catfish farmers are in discussions to address a water crisis caused by the farmers' activities at the Asa Dam. The government has expressed concerns over the discharge of effluent into the river and the potential damage to water infrastructure, which could lead to a decrease in water supply in Ilorin. The farmers have warned that these restrictions could negatively impact the catfish industry and employment opportunities. A committee has been formed to find a solution, with recommendations including the collection of effluent in tanks for filtration and a levy on fish farmers. The government also plans to clear water hyacinths and create a proper channelization for farmers to prevent the discharge of effluent into the river.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The Kwara State government and catfish farmers in the state are trying to reach a common ground over the recent water crisis that threatened the industry in the state. The government had raised the alarm over the activities of catfish farmers at the Asa Dam, warning that it may truncate water supply to citizens. According to the former commissioner for water resources then, Wahab Femi Agbaje, the Asa Dam reservoir was not meant for fishing activities but solely for raw water impoundment. Daily Trust on Sunday reports that at the core of the disagreement between the government and the catfish farmers is the issue of the discharge of the effluent into the river among other complaints. Agbaje further explained that the damage being done to the water infrastructure through the activities of fish farmers may soon truncate water supply to most parts of Ilorin metropolis if not curbed. “Fishing activities and discharge of the effluent have been the order of the day over the past years. ...

Source: Daily Trust (ng)