At the 5th ordinary session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC) meeting for a permanent framework for coordination and monitoring of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Abuja, ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitization, Sediko Douka, announced that Nigeria would receive ECOWAS Global Water Funds. This decision reflects Nigeria’s significant population and its vital contribution to regional water resources.
Douka highlighted that West African states have long been committed to integrated water management, which led to an action plan in 2000 and a framework in 2001. However, he emphasized the urgent need for a new approach to water management to effectively address current water-related challenges.
The essence of the ministerial monitoring committee meeting, according to Douka, is to revitalize cooperation and ensure the effective implementation of regional water policies to foster the region’s development.
Opening the meeting, Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Terlumun Utsev, underscored the importance of unity in advancing the water sector.
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He noted, “There is a saying that ‘teamwork makes the dream work.’ This is especially true for our sub-region. To achieve significant growth, we need to be united and work collaboratively in managing our water resources, both surface and underground.”
Professor Utsev further stressed that West Africa is endowed with substantial water resources, which, if properly harnessed and coordinated, could become a cornerstone for regional development.
He warned that a lack of proper coordination could lead to underdevelopment and potential conflicts among countries, as activities upstream could adversely affect those downstream.
Utsev elaborated on the key initiatives to be discussed during the meeting, which include the draft ECOWAS-WRMC Strategic Plan 2020-2030, the draft Directive on the Development of Water Infrastructure in West Africa, and the draft guideline on the management of shared water resources in West Africa.
Additionally, the revival of the program for promoting new trans-boundary basin organizations in West Africa and the institutional study for a reform of the PFCM, as well as the operationalization of the regional water observatory, were on the agenda.
Expressing confidence in the expertise present at the meeting, Professor Utsev was optimistic that the discussions would yield significant recommendations and resolutions to reposition both Nigeria’s and West Africa’s water sectors.
He took the opportunity to thank the leadership of the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) for selecting Nigeria as one of the few West African countries to benefit from the 2024 ECOWAS Special Project Implementation for Access to Drinking Water in Rural Areas.
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Utsev praised the visionaries who initiated the idea of uniting West African countries under the umbrella of ECOWAS, highlighting that this platform enables member states to achieve common goals and aspirations.
The meeting saw participation from ministers of water resources across ECOWAS member states, who came together to discuss and plan for the better management of the region’s water resources.
This collaborative effort aims to ensure that West Africa can effectively tackle issues such as climate change, poverty, unemployment, inequality, and more through united and strategic water management initiatives.
Nigeria my country