Editor
The Federal Government of Nigeria has urged the ECOWAS sub-region to come together for effective integrated water resources management.
This initiative aims to improve access to clean drinking water in rural communities across West Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation emphasized the importance of unity among member states and the vast potential within the region.
During the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC) of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the crucial role of Integrated Water Management in advancing regional development and stability. He stressed the need for managing shared water resources effectively to benefit health, education, tourism, food security, and energy through collaborative efforts.
The Minister expressed confidence in the expertise and dedication of participants, expecting significant recommendations and resolutions to enhance the water sector and foster regional cooperation in West Africa.
The agenda of the session includes key initiatives like the ECOWAS –Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) Strategic Plan 2020 – 2030, directives on water infrastructure development, guidelines for managing shared water resources, and the establishment of a regional water observatory.
Engr. Prof. Utsev expressed gratitude to the WRMC for selecting Nigeria to benefit from the Year 2024 ECOWAS Special Project Implementation for Access to Drinking Water in Rural Areas. This demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to utilizing its expertise for successful project implementation.
The Honourable Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization of the ECOWAS Commission, Sedico Douka, delivered an address on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray. Douka highlighted West Africa’s commitment to IWRM since 1998 and the importance of revitalizing the Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (PCMF) and evaluating the West Africa Water Resources Policy (WAWRP).
Douka emphasized critical agenda items such as the draft Strategic Plan for the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Center, the establishment of a West African Water Facility (Fund), and the Regional Initiative for the Development, Resilience, and Valorization of Water Resources (DREVE). He called for support from Technical and Financial partners to accelerate projects for water and sanitation access, thanking the Government of Nigeria and partners for their unwavering support.
The Commissioner stressed the significance of regional and international cooperation in leveraging water resources for transformative impact in West Africa. He expressed confidence that the discussions would greatly advance the regional IWRM agenda.
The session was attended by Water Resources Ministers from The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, as well as representatives from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo. National Focal Points from various countries, Basin Organizations, sub-regional institutions, and partners also participated in the meeting. The issued communiqué highlighted the deliberations and resolutions made during the session.
