By John Oba
Abuja
Preparation is in top gear for the federal government of Nigeria and Republic of Cameroon to sign a Memoranda of Understanding on the management of water resources in the River Benue Basin.
The Ministry of Water Resources in a statement signed by the director, information, of the ministry, Mrs Margarat Umoh, and made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday said the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, stated this 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.
It said Mrs. Jimeta, recalled that in 2013, the then Minister of Water Resources visited the Republic of Cameroon as a result of 2012 flooding that led to the loss of lives and properties in Nigeria.
And 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 and water released of 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.
She said in the light of that, several meetings of experts have been held to harmonize the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
“The document before us today is for Experts from both countries to clean up in readiness for endorsement to serve as an instrument in joint management of water resources , it is hoped that the outcome of the deliberations will be beneficial to both countries”
Speaking with Journalists after the meeting, the Cameronian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Salahiddine Abbas, said that the MOU would harmonize all efforts of the two countries in managing the River Benue Basin.
He said the issue is not only about Lagdo Dam or Benue River, that there were other Rivers such as River Faro and River Kebbi that come to Nigeria from as far as Chad and they pass through Cameroon into Nigeria.
Also the Executive Secretary, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, and a former Director, Dams and Reservoirs Operations Dr. Emmanuel Adanu expressed happiness that the document is in its final stage, hoping that it would be signed very quickly.
