FG addresses water degradation in N/East

The Federal Government will soon begin what it calls Strategic Action Plan for the Development of Water Resources in the Komadugu-Yobe Basin to address water degradation in the NorthEast.

A statement by Mrs. Margarat E. Umah, Director Information, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, said the government signed the contract agreement at the weekend with SMEC International PTY limited for the project.

The Administrative Secretary of Hadejia Jama’are Komadugu Yobe Basin Trust Fund, Dr. Hassan Bdliya, who signed on behalf of the government, said that the project would address water resources management issues in the basin by applying the integrated water resources management approach with the river basin and costing of viable physical interventions that would enhance livelihoods and ecosystems in the basin.

Dr. Hassan said, “The Project of about 1.9 million Euros, is being supported by the grant from the African Water Facility and managed by the African Development Bank. It would cut across six states in the NorthWest and North East Zones of the country.”

Speaking on behalf of his company, the Regional ManagerWest Africa of SMEC, Mr. Jose Fernandes, commended the Federal Government for the agreement, saying it would go a long way in addressing the many challenges occasioned by degradation of the water and land resources in the basin.

Mr. Fernandes listed the objectives of project to include formulation of the KomaduguYobe Basin Water Resources Development Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and development of a modified reservoir operation rules for the re-operations of Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams that optimize water resources allocation and use.