FG Seeks $7.2bn Donor Support to Fund Projects along Niger Basin

Alex Enumah in Abuja

As part of measures aimed at tackling the devastating effects of climate change, particularly along the Niger Basin, the Federal Government would be hosting a meeting of donor agencies and countries to raise fund for the execution of programmes and projects of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA).

Last January, the 11th Summit of Heads of States and Government of the NBA, in Cotonou, adopted the 2016-2024 Operational Plans (OP) and Climate Resilience Investment Plan (CRIP) put at $7.2 billion in order to make the effects of the Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP) more visible.

Speaking at the Extra-ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers’ meeting in Abuja, Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of NBA, Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, stated that the achievement of the investments planned in the OP/CRIP will improve upon the living standards of the people as well as the potentials of the sector.

“The first implementation programme of the OP/CRIP entitled “Programme for the Integration Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB)”, prepared with support from the African Development Bank for the period 2017-2022, will be the purpose of the Donors meeting scheduled for tomorrow, 1st June, 2016, here in Abuja”.

President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Environment Amina Mohamed, noted that the Niger Basin is currently experiencing a significant degradation of its resources under the combined effect of climate and human activities.

The devastation caused by these two factors have become enormous for countries along the Niger Basin to tackle on their own, hence the need for cooperation and pulling of resources together.

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