FG Releases $2.5m for Lake Chad Study
The Federal Government has released the sum of $2.5 million out of the $5 million proposed for the feasibility study of the water transfer project from Oubangui River of Congo Bie in the Central Africa Republic to the Lake Chad Basin.
President Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 51st Session of the Council of Ministers of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
Obasanjo regretted that activities of the people who live around the Lake Chad have combined with other negative ecological tendencies to undermine the capacity of the Lake to continue to render services to them.
"Today, the extent of degradation of the Lake has remained phenomenal and the impact on the lives of the people has been devastating. Of particular note is the effect of the recurring drought cycle, which has resulted in enormous recession of the lake, such that its capacity to be of value to those who depend on it has diminished.
Obasanjo noted that the situation called for reappraisal of members' efforts and redefinition of policies and strategies, ensuring at all times and in all places that only policies that guarantee best practices are adopted.
While noting that no organisation can function effectively and efficiently without a strong financial base, the president said the challenges of Lake Chad required adequate funding.
He urged member countries to resolve to pay their outstanding arrears, which is estimated at over one billion, two hundred and thirty million francs CFA (1,230,000,000 FCFA), and annual contributions as at when due.
"It is only when we have carried out our primary responsibilities that other donor agencies and development partners will take us seriously and be sufficiently motivated to come to our assistance. On our part in Nigeria, we are committed to clearing all arrears of contributions to the commission. This is the only way to keep the Commission alive and responsive to all its primary responsibilities", he said.
In his remark, Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Engr. Muhammad Sani Adamu, said the project would achieve capacity building through established project mechanisms, enhanced regional policy initiatives and institutional mechanisms to address trans-boundary issues, among others.
Nigeria's Commissioner and Minister of State for Water Resources, Alhaji Bashr Aweterebo, said the meeting availed member countries opportunity to take stock of achievements, identify constraints and evolve a policy framework that will enable them to refocus the aims and objectives and device ways of achieving them.
Member countries are Cameroon, Central Africa Repubic, Nigeria, Niger and Lake Chad.
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