The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has said Nigeria will get at least 55 per cent of the global water fund.
At the 5th ordinary session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC), which met to discuss a framework for coordination and monitoring of Integrated Water Resources Management, or IWRM, in Abuja, this information was revealed by ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitization, Sediko Douka.
According to him, this is because of Nigeria’s sizable population and financial contribution to the regional bloc.
Douka emphasized the need for a new approach to water management to address issues related to water, stating that West African states have been committed to integrated water management, resulting in an action plan in 2000 and a framework in 2001.
The ministerial monitoring committee meeting’s main goal, according to the ECOWAS commissioner, was to revive regional water policies’ implementation and cooperation for the region’s development.
In his opening remarks, Professor Terlumun Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, urged member states to work together to advance the water sector.
“To truly see growth in the sub-region, we need to be united and work as a team, especially when it comes to the management of our water resources, both surface and underground,” he noted.
Professor Utsev , who stressed that the subregion is blessed with great potential, added that it is only through collaboration and partnership that the region could overcome the present economic situation.
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“The sub-region has a great amount of potential, and through working together, we can foster a region that can solve its challenges – from climate change, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and more,” the Minister added.
The 11th ordinary session of the technical expert committee of the Permanent Framework for Coordination and Monitoring of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa was held on June 25–27, 2024. The meeting was attended by members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which is made up of water resources experts from Member States and organizations that oversee the West African basin.
By examining the execution of the resolutions from the 4th Ordinary Session, the meeting sought to revitalize the regional IWRM process.
The creation of new transboundary basin organizations, the restructuring and capacity-building of water resources management centers (WRMC), the holding of regular PCMF meetings, and the creation of a regional consultation mechanism on integrated ecosystem management are among the main resolutions that need to be produced.
On Friday, June 28, 2024, the TEC meeting will be followed by the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee of IWRM in West Africa.
The draft ECOWAS-WRMC Strategic Plan 2020–2030, the draft directive on the development of water infrastructure in West Africa, the draft guideline on the management of shared water resources in West Africa, the resuscitation of the program for promoting new transboundary basin organizations in West Africa, and the operationalization of the Regional Water Observatory are among the reports and recommendations that will be discussed during this session of experts.
