By YANGE IKYAA
The permanent secretary, federal ministry of water wesources, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack on Monday declared open the meeting of technical committee of experts preparatory to the 12th summit of heads of state and government of countries that jointly own the Niger Basin Authority.
She was represented at the occasion by the director, water supply and PPP in the ministry, Engr. Benson Ajisegiri.
The permanent secretary tasked the experts to ensure that NBA continues are stronger and more united in view of the emerging challenges facing the ecosystem of the catchment area and its watershed.
In her speech, she also noted that the Niger Basin Authority was created in 1964 with the mandate of protecting and managing the ecosystem of the Niger Basin in an equitable manner, as well as improving the socio-economic well-being of the populations within and outside the basin.
“The Niger Basin Authority is involved in a number of projects and programmes in agriculture, environment, climate change and integrated water resource management under the strategic action plan,” she said.
The meeting will, among other issues, deliberate on the roadmap for implementing the organizational chart adopted by resolution number 5 of the 39th session of the council of ministers, the construction of NBA headquarters, the review of two draft internal rules and regulations of the NBA technical committee of experts (TCE) and the council of ministers (CM).
The national coordinator, National Focal Structure (NFS) and director, water resource planning and technical support services, Mrs. Alice Ojowu, in her welcome address, emphasized that as experts, the meeting has the primary responsibility of ensuring that NBA as an institution fulfils its mandate as set out by its founding fathers and at the same time diligently research and analyze current issues affecting NBA and member countries, with the overall aim of improving NBA and the livelihoods of the people it was created to serve.
In his speech, NBA executive secretary, Abderahim Bireme, informed the meeting that together with National Focal Structure coordinators, NCU coordinators and executives of the executive secretariat, they have been able to work in close and sincere collaboration to better serve the people of the Niger Basin.
Bireme reiterated his heartfelt gratitude to chairman in office of the NBA summit of heads of state and government, the president and commander- in-chief of the armed forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari and the people of Nigeria for accepting to host their various meetings.
