Abuja (Federal Ministry of Water Resources Report) – The Niger Basin Authority (NBA) member – countries have been enjoined to pay their contributions regularly, in order to sustain the management of the basin as well as boost the morale of the Development Partners, who have been rendering support to the activities of the Niger Basin Authority in their respective countries.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe made the call on Thursday September 25, 2014 when he declared open the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority member-countries in Abuja.
He said that the meeting was convened to examine the financial constraints of the Authority as a result of delays in payment of contributions by member countries. “The Extraordinary Session will seek ways and means to address this and other issues that are germane to the good governance of the NBA as it marks 50 years since its establishment,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the NBA Secretariat towards managing the affairs of the Authority which has attracted the technical and development partners to collaborate with member countries on various projects and activities, the President noted that in order to preserve the partnership trust, member countries must ensure the smooth running of the institution, especially by paying their contributions as at when due.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Executive Secretary of the NBA, Collins Ihekire (Major General Rtd) disclosed that the NBA Office remains committed to improving the lives of the citizens of member countries through the implementation of projects and programmes in synergy with the Ministers of Water Resources of member countries.
Speaking on the financial situation of the Authority, the Executive Secretary observed that it has been no secret the enormous expectations of member countries whose people have depended on the Authority as a result of the exploitation of the Niger Basin resources. He inferred that it has become necessary for member-countries to pay their contributions on time as an encouragement to the financial partners.
Collins Ihekire further disclosed that the 50thAnniversary Celebration of the NBA would come up in November 2014; adding that in the 50 years of its existence, the NBA has been able to position itself in the international world and remain close to the people of the basin area.
“I would like to congratulate all the countries for their contributions to making the fiftieth anniversary a reality. Your contributions at different levels have enabled us to achieve positive results at the continental level and has allowed the NBA to maintain its position as a reference basin organization,” he added. ‘The member countries which constitute the NBA, he said include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria and its Headquarters in Niamey – the Republic of Niger.
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