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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Climate Change and Environment Desk of the Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC), in collaboration with African Climate Reporters (ACR) and the Office of the Kaduna State Special Adviser on Climate Change, has successfully concluded the March edition of the Kaduna Monthly Climate Hangout Forum.
The forum serves as a dynamic multi-stakeholder platform, bringing together scientists, geologists, environmental journalists, medical practitioners, religious and traditional leaders, waste institutes, youth and women groups, as well as civil society and non-governmental organizations committed to addressing climate change and environmental challenges.
The theme for this month’s session, “Addressing Climate Impacts on Water: Flooding, Pollution, and Disease Prevention,” focused on the growing threats posed by climate change to water systems and public health.
Delivering the lead presentation, Alhaji Shehu Umar Abdul, a disaster and risk management expert with Global Eco-Vigilance and former Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross, Kaduna State, highlighted how climate change continues to disrupt water systems globally.
He emphasised the increasing risks of flooding, water pollution, and the spread of waterborne diseases.
He noted that these challenges are already impacting human health, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. According to him, the effects of climate change include rising temperatures, more intense storms, prolonged droughts, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, heightened health risks, and increasing poverty and displacement.
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To address these issues, he recommended practical measures such as improving drainage systems, strengthening urban planning, investing in flood control infrastructure, developing early warning systems, and enhancing community awareness initiatives.
On water pollution, he stressed the importance of strengthening waste management systems, promoting environmental sanitation, enforcing environmental regulations, and intensifying public awareness campaigns.
In his remarks, the former Managing Director of Kaduna State Water Corporation (KADSWAC), Comrade Sunusi Mai Kudi, underscored the urgent need for behavioural change among citizens, particularly in ending the indiscriminate dumping of waste and plastics into drainage channels and water bodies.
He warned that such practices lead to severe environmental degradation, including the destruction of aquatic ecosystems, contamination of drinking water sources, and the spread of diseases such as cholera.
He further explained that pollution contributes to flooding, disrupts ecosystems, and endangers wildlife, as toxic substances reduce oxygen levels in water, killing aquatic life, while plastic waste remains in the environment for decades.
The session also examined key challenges associated with the rainy season, including flooding, erosion, water contamination, plastic waste, and the rising incidence of waterborne diseases. Participants engaged in discussions and shared practical solutions aimed at strengthening community resilience.
Speaking during the forum, Comrade Nasir Abbas of Water Rights Initiative Nigeria emphasized that access to clean water is essential to life and called for collective responsibility in protecting water resources.
He advocated for sustainable waste management practices, including waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, as critical steps toward safeguarding both the environment and public health.
Similarly, Mallam Umar Abubakar urged citizens and stakeholders to intensify efforts in preventing water contamination that affects humans, plants, and animals. He called for sustained awareness campaigns to address water-related challenges and promote environmental responsibility.
