Niger Basin Authority: Nigeria Charges Members for Stronger Commitment
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, FNSE, has called on the member countries of Niger Basin Authority (NBA) to continue to be stronger and more united in terms of confronting the challenges facing the Authority.
The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Musa Ibrahim made the call while declaring open the technical Experts meeting of the 36th Ordinary Session of the Councils of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority on Tuesday, 3rd April, 2018 in Abuja.
Adamu noted that the population of more than 130 million inhabitants living within the River Basin is facing many challenges of the drying basin due to climate change.
It is on record that the River Niger dried up in Niamey, Niger Republic in 1985 due to climate change. The River reduced from 2 million Square Kilometers to about 1.5 million Square kilometers.
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He charged the technical experts to deliberate on these issues affecting the authority and make appropriate recommendations to the Council of Ministers for considerations.
“We must encourage the technical and financial partners by ensuring that adequate funding is made available for the operations of the institution. The well being of the people depends on it,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Authority, Mr. Abderahim Bireme Hamid commended Nigeria for hosting the meeting. He urged the experts to focus on achieving the objectives of the regional Basin of improving the lives of the people.
He said “Niger Basin Authority has 9 member countries namely; Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad. The overall population of the basin is approximately 130 million inhabitants, of which 70% are in rural areas; with life expectancy is 50 years. Due to its ecological and socio-economic importance, the Niger Basin is an essential asset for the development of the sub-region”.
Rotimi O Ajayi
Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations)
