WorldStage Newsonline– Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, has identified that repeated delay in the payment of dues by member countries of Niger Basin Authority were responsible for major constrains in execution of projects.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the 36th Ordinary session of the council of Ministers (Technical Experts Meeting), of the Niger Basin Authority, Adamu stated that the development of common space must start from member countries before relying on technical and financial partners for assistance.
Members of the Niger River Basin Authority, include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.
Adamu, who was represented by Dr. Musa Ibrahim, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, noted that the meeting provided a platform for members of Niger Basin to dialogue and finding adequate solutions to the problems facing the Executive Secretariat in the implementation of projects and programs.
He said, “Niger basin area is rich in its diversity and its population of more than 130million inhabitants. However, this wealth is facing many challenges.
“I can confirm that our joint institution, the NBS, is a means of meeting the developmental challenges of our countries within this context of climate change.”
In his address, Dr. Paul Adalikwu, National Coordinator, NBA-NFS, said that the River Niger was of important to not just Nigeria but to other member countries depending on the resources of the river for their livelihood.
He said, “ it is on record that for the first time in 1985, the river Niger completely dried up in Niamey, Niger Republic and due to climate change the river reduced from 2million square kilometers to about 1.5million square kilometers.”
He then challenged experts to deliberate on issues affecting the Authority and make appropriate recommendations to the Council of Ministers for their consideration.
Mr. Abderahim Hamid, Executive Secretary NBA, stated that the presence of member countries and development partners showed the interest for NBA, saying, “it’s a sign to your continuous commitment to the executive secretariat for meeting the sustainable and consented development challenges facing the Niger Basin.
“Since 12th march 2018 I took over the lead of NBA, accordingly I’m committed to implement the political and strategic direction given by the statutory organs whose ultimate objectives is to improve the livelihood and warfare of NBA populations estimated at 130million people.
“Also, I’m committed myself to create appropriate conditions for consolidating achievement and improve the relationship between the Executive secretariat and the member state, development partners and users of natural resources of the Niger basin through the mobilization of human resources that are necessary for the implementation of projects and program as well as the efficient and effective use of those resources.”
