Nigeria, Cameroon sign MOU on Water Resources Management in Benue River Basin

The Federal Government of Nigeria and Republic of Cameroon have signed a Memoranda of Understanding on the management of water resources in the River Benue Basin.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Rabi Jimeta made this known in Abuja on Wednesday 25th of November 2015 while declaring open the Technical Experts Meeting between the two countries on the MOU document, ahead of the official signing expected to hold in December 2015.

Rabi Jimeta recalled that in 2013, the then Minister of Water Resources visited the Republic of Cameroon as a result of the 2012 flooding that led to loss of lives and properties in Nigeria. She added that during the visit, both countries agreed that there was need to establish a framework of cooperation for exchange of data and information on reservoir management as well as the water released from the Lagdo Dam and similar structures in the entire River Benue Basin.

“They also agreed to sign an MOU for the exchange of data and information on the management of the shared basin for better planning and sustainable development of both countries, amongst others,” he hinted.

The Permanent Secretary further noted that in the light of the above, several meetings of experts have been held to harmonize the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. Adding, the document before them was for the experts from both countries to clean up in readiness for endorsement to serve as instrument for joint management of water resources. He opined that that the outcome of the deliberations will be beneficial to both countries.

While speaking with Journalists after the meeting, the Cameroonian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Salahiddine Abbas said that the MOU would harmonize all efforts of the two countries in managing the River Benue Basin. He further informed that the issue is not only about Lagdo Dam or Benue River, but there were other Rivers such as the River Faro and River Kebbi that come to Nigeria from Chad, passing through Cameroon.

The Executive Secretary of the National Water Resources Institute in Kaduna, who is a former Director of Dams and Reservoirs Operations in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Emmanuel Adanu expressed happiness that the document is in its final stage, hoping that it would be signed very quickly.

ABUJA (Federal Ministry of Water Resources Report)