The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chairman of the NBA Summit of Heads of State and Government, President Muhammadu Buhari
has called on the member countries of NBA to fulfill their financial obligations to help address the many challenges of the organization.
The President, who was represented by the Hon. Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Muhammed made the call on Monday 30th May, 2016 during the Extraordinary Session of Council of Ministers of NBA meeting in Abuja.
Mr. President noted the many challenges facing the Basin and the efforts all the delegates of member countries are doing to provide solutions to them. “I am also pleased and honoured to welcome the distinguished delegates of the member countries of our common organization as well as the Technical and Financial Partners who are contributing with us in the search for sustainable solutions to the many socio-economic development challenges we are facing in the Niger Basin”, he said.
Also, he stated that the Basin is experiencing a significant degradation of its resources under the combined effects of climate and human activities. According to him, the effect is heavily compromising the future of the ever increasing population of the Niger Basin.
He added that NBA Secretariat has examined the challenges and is making proposal for a new sharing formula of member countries’ contribution to enable her execute its budget effectively.
In his remarks, the Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of NBA, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, FNSE said that there is hope for the Basin population as the organization has earmarked about US$6.44 billion investment actions of the operational plan.
According to him, the execution of these investments would contribute in improving the living conditions of the people through an increase in production and access to hydropower and a secured agricultural, pastoral and fishery production.
Delivery her speech, the Executive Secretary of the Niger Basin Authority, Her Excellency, Toupta BOGUENA, on behalf of NBA member countries thanked the Federal Minister of Water Resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chairman of the NBA Council of Ministers for all the efforts he has undertaken to confirm, once again, his availability and support to NBA activities. “Thank you Sir, and please convey our gratitude to your team for the unconditional availability to support the NBA whenever the need has arisen”
He added that the results of the Organization work would enhance the trust of Partners in NBA and member countries and would open new opportunities for resource mobilization arising from the efficient implementation of projects.