Douglas Oloton, the former chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), Abuja chapter, has blamed Nigerians for the flooding ravaging parts of the country.

“On flooding, if citizens do the right thing, we will help the government to address flooding in this country. People build on waterways and block drainages, and as such, we experience floods,” said Mr Oloton on Thursday. “Citizens need to conduct themselves in a proper manner and be disciplined, and it will help our country.”

The ex-NIWE chairman added that piloting the association’s affairs was not easy, “but we thank God that the association is growing stronger and stronger.”

Mr Oloton added, “We are setting the pace, and we are getting bigger by God’s grace. Funding is a challenge. To get sponsors is not easy. Our dues are not enough, but thank God we have people partnering with us. I am charging the new exco to take this association to a greater level, and we will continue to give them our ideas to enable them to achieve the great heights that we all desire.”

NIWE’s new chair Marvin Agwoko promised to support the government in tackling water and sanitation challenges through innovations.

“I feel very privileged to be chosen as the chairman of NIWE, Abuja chapter. There are many water-related issues in Abuja and Nigeria as a whole. One is the indiscriminate sinking of boreholes within the Federal Capital Territory,” stated Mr Agwoko shortly after his inauguration on Thursday. 

He added, “As the new Chairman of NIWE, we will come up with effective innovation to support the government in ensuring that people enjoy water and sanitation facilities.”

(NAN)