By John Ikani
President Muhammadu Buhari has completed his 5 year tenure as Chairman of the Heads of State and Government of the Niger Basin Authority, NBA.
He has consequently handed over the NBA Chairmanship to President Roch Kaboré of Burkina Faso on Thursday at the 12th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the NBA.
Revealing this on an issued statement Presidential spokesman, Chief Femi Adesina said the Nigerian leader had while declaring the summit open called for global support to develop the resources in the Niger Basin area, home to over 160 million people who depend on the River as a means of sustenance.
The statement quoted President Buhari as saying the Niger River commonly called Djoliba in Guinea and Mali, offers enormous development opportunities in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, fish farming, hydro-power, hydraulics and navigation.
“It is therefore necessary to continue to promote its enormous potential for the benefit of our people, and to improve the socio-economic development of the region,” the president said.
He expressed appreciation to Technical and Financial Partners, including African Development Bank (AfDB), the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the German Financial Cooperation (KFW), for identifying with the vision and projects of the authority.
President Buhari urged them to continue to support efforts at developing the Niger Basin in the fight against pollution and the degradation of ecosystems, in order to manage its resources in a sustainable and equitable manner.
About the Niger Basin Authority
The Niger Basin Authority (French: Autorité du Bassin du Niger) is an intergovernmental organization in West Africa aiming to foster co-operation in managing and developing the resources of the basin of the Niger River.
The NBA defines its purpose as the promotion of cooperation among member countries to ensure integrated development of resources.
The organisation originally defined its mission as the cooperative management of water resources, most notably, but not limited to, the Niger River. While centering of water and hydroelectric resources, the NBA nations use the organisation to harmonise development of energy, agriculture, forestry, transport, communications, and industrial resources of the member nations.
