World Water Day: Expert calls for restoration of degraded water bodies, wetlands

Environmental activist Dr. Nnimmo Bassey has advocated for the restoration of degraded water bodies and wetlands not only in Nigeria but also across Africa and the globe.

This call was made in a statement released by his Media and Communications Lead, Kome Odhomor, on Friday to mark World Water Day, which had the theme “Water for Peace.” The aim was to raise awareness about the urgent need to address the worldwide water crises.

Bassey, who also serves as the Executive Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation, expressed concern over the extensive damage inflicted on water bodies by activities such as mining, oil and gas exploration, dredging, and the development of infrastructure in vital freshwater ecosystems.

He lamented the commodification of water, an essential common resource, by profit-driven capitalists. Bassey highlighted that only 3% of the Earth’s total water is freshwater, with just half of this accessible to humans through rivers, lakes, and groundwater, while the rest is stored in forms like ice and glaciers.

Asserting that water should not be privatized, Bassey emphasized its crucial role in sustaining life and asserted that access to clean water is a fundamental human right. He stressed the importance of treating rivers, creeks, lagoons, and oceans with care and not as dumping grounds for waste.

The statement called for global collective action to preserve freshwater and its ecosystems, emphasizing the need to secure potable water sources and safeguard aquatic environments to support cultural practices and livelihoods, particularly those of fishermen.

Furthermore, Bassey advocated for governments to take responsibility for cleaning up and restoring polluted waters and damaged environments. He urged stringent sanctions against polluters, highlighting the dangers posed by plastics and toxins entering the food chain through fish consumption.

Stephen Oduware, Coordinator of Fishnet Alliance, underscored the intrinsic value of water as the foundation of life on Earth. He attributed the current water crises, including droughts and pollution, to direct human interference such as waste dumping and chemical release from industries, including the petroleum sector.