By John Oba
Nigeria has relinquished the mantle of leadership of African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) to Republic of Senegal following the successful completion of her tenure of one year as an interim President from last year.
It could be recalled that in May, 2012, Egypt was elected to the office of the AMCOW president, but when the country was suspended from African Union, the position was unanimously transferred to the Minister of Water Resources Nigeria, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe, with hope to hand over to Senegal during this year General Assembly meeting.
In her valedictory statement in Dakar, Senegal, Ochekpe said that AMCOW had provided the needed political leadership, policy direction and advocacy in the provision and management of water resources for sustainable and economic development as well as promoted cooperation, social security and economic development and poverty eradication among the member countries.
In her words, “I am delighted to say that today through sheer resolve, determination and dedication of our member states and active support of our partners, AMCOW had continued to bring added value to regional cooperation in trans-boundary water management”.
She said that despite the various achievements recorded so far, AMCOW still faces challenges on how to deploy water supply infrastructure services in such a way as to meet the growing demand for safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.
“The baton of AMCOW leadership has turned to Senegal, there is no doubt that with the interest you have shown in this meeting, my brother minister, Hon Pape Diouf would receive the needed support from government of Senegal to take AMCOW to greater heights in the next two years.”