Niger Basin Resolves to Empower Local People

The 32nd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Authority held in Yaounde on November 29, 2023.

Ministers of the nine member countries of the Niger Basin Authority at the end of their 32nd council session in Yaounde, Cameroon on November 29, 2013 resolved to urge all countries pay their contributions in time, bring on board public/private partnership to help in achieving autonomous financing , create employment opportunities and build the capacities of the local citizens.

The Executive Secretary of the Niger Basin Authority, Major General Collins Ihekire made the declaration to the press after the session at the Yaounde Conference Centre. In order to bring the organization closer to the local citizens so as to better address their needs, the ministers also adopted the Memorandum of Understanding on the operationalisation of NBA National Focal Structures and another Memorandum of Understanding on the operationalisation of National Coordinating Units and Regional Coordinating Unit of the users of the Natural Resources of the Niger Basin.

They agreed that the 33rd ordinary session will take place in Niamey, Niger on a day still to be fixed. The Executive Secretary said the day will coincide with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Authority in 2014 and the laying of the foundation stone of its headquarters.

Cameroon's Prime Minister, Head of Government, Philemon Yang chaired the opening and closing ceremonies of the session. His speech tied with the mission of the organization which is to foster cooperation among member countries and ensure the integrated development of the Niger Basin in all areas including energy, water, electricity supply, agriculture, animal husbandry, fishery and fish farming, sylviculture and logging, transport and community and finally industry.

The Yaounde session held within the context of climate change, international crisis, sub-regional conflicts, food insecurity, insecurity, poverty and unemployment. Considering the context, Mr Yang called on member countries to honour their financial contributions. He said such contributions will enable the Authority carry out the Niger River Basin Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP). He promised Cameroon's readiness to play its own part.