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Tag: Lake Chad

Lake Chad: Seven million face famine, says Buhari

•Niger, Chad, CAR, Gabon leaders at Abuja Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said food security in the Lake Chad basin had deteriorated with more than seven million people in the sub-region facing threat of famine.

Buhari said the Lake, which is a source of livelihood to over 45 million people, had receded greatly and now posed a challenge to people in the region.

The President, who quoted the United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’ report, spoke yesterday at a high level meeting on the sidelines of the international conference on Lake Chad in Abuja.

Buhari was joined at the meeting by Presidents Mahammadou Issoufu of Niger Republic, Idriss Debby Itno of Chad, Faustin-Archange Touaderae of Central African Republic (CAR) and Ali Bongo of Gabon.

He said because of the threat to food security in the region, half a million children now suffered from severe malnutrition.

The president said the lake, which was a hub of economic activities and food security providing sources of livelihoods to farmers, fishermen and herdsmen, had become a challenge that required global action.

Buhari noted that most of the major challenges facing the Lake Chad region still remained unresolved.

He hailed the Presidents and Heads of government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) for the measures they had taken to tackle the shrinking lake.

According to him, the Federal Government has initiated several measures to cushion the plight of the people living on Nigeria’s side of the basin.

He said the measures included the establishment of the Presidential Initiative on the Northeast (PINE), North East Recovery and Peace Building Assessment in collaboration with World Bank, European Union (EU), and United Nations (UN) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) established by law.

“We must treat the issues of the Lake Chad with the urgency they deserve and show the needed political commitment towards reviving the Lake,” buhari said.

The President of Gabon said the country would contribute to the revitalisation of the lake by supporting the climate change adaptation initiative with $700 million.

He said the money would help in the mobilisation of resources, capacity building and the improvement of scientific and technical knowledge, adding that it would play a major role in the implementation of project for the safeguard of the Lake Chad.

He pointed out that the money would be an important instrument for the Lake Chad fund with the goal of mobilising $50 million.

The Italian government said it was committing 1.5 million Euros to the Lake Chad.

The government said the 1.5 million Euros was to support the feasibility study of inter basin water transfer from the Congo River to the Lake Chad basin.

March 1, 2018
7m on brink of famine in Lake Chad region – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said on Wednesday food security in the Lake Chad basin had deteriorated with more than seven million people in countries bordering the lake facing the threat of famine.

Buhari, who quoted report of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said the Lake, which is a source of livelihood to over 45 million people had receded greatly and now posed a serious challenge to people of the sub- region.

The President spoke on the sidelines of a high level meeting of the international conference on Lake Chad in Abuja.

Buhari was joined at the meeting by Presidents Mahamadou Issoufou (Niger), Idriss Deby Itno (Chad), Faustin-Archange Touadera (Central African Republic) and Ali Bongo (Gabon).

He said because of the threat to food security in the region, half a million children now suffer from severe malnutrition.

The President said the Lake, which was a hub of economic activities and food security providing source of livelihoods to farmers, fishermen and herdsmen had become a challenge that required global action.

Buhari said: “The Lake Chad is very dear to our heart as it is a source of livelihood to over 45 million people living in the Basin. This Lake, which is one of the oldest lakes in Africa is shared by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

“The people living in the Basin depend on the Lake Chad for agriculture, fisheries and livestock for their economic well-being. The Lake Chad region was formerly an ‘oasis in the desert,’ a hub of economic activities and food security. The farmers, fishermen, herdsmen and traders were happy because business was booming. The happiness and contentment contributed to stability of the sub-region.”

February 28, 2018
Restoring the Balance Between Culture and Nature at Lake Chad

Lake Chad is disappearing. The consequences of this ecological disaster reaches deep into the communities that are sustained by this ecosystem. This is as much a humanitarian and security situation as an ecological one.

Last December, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 2.6 million people face crisis levels of food insecurity and that the number is expected to rise. Add to this the presence of the armed group Boko Haram in parts of the region, and it becomes clear that these issues require an international and multi-faceted response.

This will be at the top of the minds of decision-makers, scientists and civil society representatives as they gather in Abuja for the International Conference on Lake Chad this Monday. UNESCO will be among them to launch the Biosphere and Heritage of Lake Chad project.

This innovative project draws on UNESCO’s 20 years in the region and will bring to bear all of the organization’s expertise not only in science, but also in culture, education and communication to develop innovative solutions from the ground up.

Just as two strands of DNA are necessary for life, humankind and the ecosystem are bound together. This is why we will work with our partners and the concerned communities to formulate an approach to the management of the Lake Chad Basin, that will rely on the interdependency of people and the environment, blending science and local knowledge to create sustainable solutions to the restoration of this precious water resource, which supports 30 million people in the countries that share the lake.

With support from the African Development Bank, and in collaboration with the Lake Chad Basin Commission, we will train local scientists in the cutting-edge imaging technologies to track changes in the environment.

On the basis of these findings, we will pilot innovative projects for the restoration of damaged ecosystems, including the forest home of several endangered species and the nesting spots of dozens of species of migratory birds.

UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme will support Chad, Cameroun and Nigeria to integrate the African Flood and Drought Monitor system to ensure more agile coping mechanisms for seasonal variations.

We will work with partners to protect the Yuri cow, which for generations has been emblematic of the people of the Lake Chad region and which is now under threat of extinction, because protecting the environment is a way of life and both a scientific and cultural endeavor.

Lake Chad is as much steeped in the history of humanity as it is in the waters of the Chari, Logone and Yobe rivers, which form it. For tens of millions of years it has been at the centre of a delicate but rich web of life. It was once home to one of our oldest known ancestors, Toumaï, who walked these shores 7 million years ago.

Which is why UNESCO will support all of the governments of the region to prepare the way for recognizing new trans-boundary sites of the basin as a UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserves to promote reconciliation, resilience and, ultimately, peace.

We need to act now to break the cycle of ecological disaster, livelihood disruption, mass displacement and political upheaval, which leads to further ecological disaster.

These waters, among the largest waterways of Africa, provide a unique opportunity to build relationships between communities and across borders. This teeming source of life must be preserved to restore the bountiful resources that once surrounded Lake Chad and restored the people’s pride in our shared heritage.

Azoulay is the Director-General of UNESCO

February 27, 2018
Why we should not allow Lake Chad to dry up, by Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and stakeholders not to allow its receding water to dry up because of selfish reasons.

The President noted that the world would pay dearly, if the Lake is allowed to go into extinction.

Buhari, while opening the International Conference on Lake Chad in Abuja, warned against taking unilateral decisions by member countries to recharge the Lake through inter basin water transfer.

The conference has “Saving the Lake Chad to revitalise the basin’s ecosystem for sustainable livelihood, security and development” as its theme.

The LCBC member countries include: Nigeria, Republic of Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic.

The president said: “The world would pay a steep prize if stakeholders choose to result to unilateral actions in the pursuit of selfish interest, if we collectively fail to rise boldly to this challenge of recharging the lake.

“Lake Chad issue is an international issue with a global challenge, saving the lake is preserving the livelihood of millions of people.

“Nigeria would implement all recommendations made to restore the Lake Chad at the end of this conference.”

Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the cooperation and collaboration that underpins efforts to save the Lake Chad should not be allowed to flop.

He called for greater effort into the inclusion and integration of local communities and civil society groups in the design and implementation of the intervention for the restoration of the Lake Chad

The President lamented that the lake, which was once the sixth largest in Africa providing livelihood for over 40 million people, had shrunken by over 90 per cent of its size from about 25,000sq kilometres to present 1,350sq kilometres.

According to him, the problems of the lake have been made worse by desertification, which has affected farmers who depended on it for irrigation, farming and drinking water.

This, he said, had led to increase in migration and resettlement as farmers and fishermen had been confronted with leaner harvest and pastoralists are in search for water and food for their cattle.

The challenging situation, Buhari added, had led to clashes in Nigeria between farmers and herdsmen, adding that the Northeast, where the Lake is located, had become the epicentre of Boko Haram, making it easy for the insurgents to recruit from desperate, idle but yet growing population.

The president hailed the international communities for not only seeing the receding lake as a global challenge but also taking steps to actively support member countries of LCBC.

Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu said saving the Lake Chad in a sustainable manner required the collaboration of all relevant stakeholders, calling for hands to be on deck to save the lake from extinction.

According to him, the lake remained a source of water supply for drinking, fisheries and other socio-economic development activities despite the security challenges in the region.

Executive Secretary of the LCBC Sanusi Abdullahi listed insurgency, climate change and non-payment of annual contributions as challenges to full implementation of its programmes in the region.

He said there was need to mobilise partnership for reversing the devastating effect of the Lake Chad.

February 27, 2018
Lake Chad must not go into extinction – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday urged member countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and stakeholders not to allow the receding Lake Chad basin to dry up because of selfish reasons.

The President noted that the world would pay dearly if the Lake goes into extinction.

Buhari, while declaring open the International Conference on Lake Chad, in Abuja, also warned against taking unilateral decisions by member countries to recharge the Lake through inter basin water transfer.

The conference had ‘Saving the Lake Chad to revitalize the basin’s ecosystem for sustainable livelihood, Security and development,’ as its theme.

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) member countries are Nigeria, Republic of Niger, Cameroon, Chad, and Central African Republic.

Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the cooperation and collaboration that underpins efforts to save the Lake Chad should not be allowed to flop.

The President said: “The world would pay a steep prize if stakeholders opted for unilateral actions in the pursuit of selfish interest if we collectively fail to rise boldly to this challenge of recharging the lake.”

February 26, 2018
Nigeria needs $14b to save Lake Chad —Minister

About $14 billion is needed to carry out an inter basin transfer of water to save the receding Lake Chad basin, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, has said.

He said this during an interview with reporters in Abuja ahead of next week’s international conference to save the drying lake.

The minister explained that members of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) have agreed to come up with solutions on how to save the Lake.

He said a study carried out by a Chinese firm in 2012 showed that it was possible to conduct an inter basin transfer of water from the Congo River Basin to the Lake Chad.

According to him, the current situation of the Lake posed a serious security risk to member countries.

Specifically, he noted that lack of activities around the Lake had fueled Boko Haram activities in the region.

He said: “I met this situation and I now engaged with the Lake Chad Basin Commission and at some point we came up, we stumbled into a company that showed an interest, a Chinese company that has been involved in the transfer of water.

“They had done this feasibility study but they were not fully satisfied but the good thing about that study is that it confirmed that technically, it is possible to draw water from Congo Basin into Lake Chad.

“At least it is technically feasible. And they came up with a rough estimate of $14 billion dollars. It could be more or less but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

“This problem of Lake Chad have created a huge security risk for all the member countries of Lake Chad Basin Commission. And that is why the time has come for us to really take the bull by the horn.

February 25, 2018
‘Boko Haram slowed down development of Lake Chad’

The Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has blamed the slow pace of development of the Lake Chad region on insecurity and non-payment of counterpart funds by member countries.

The regional body also blamed poor development of the region on climate change.

It lamented activities of Boko Haram in the region had led to its inability to execute 70 percent of its budget for the development of communities in the region.

The Executive Secretary LCBC, Sanusi Abdullahi, disclosed these yesterday in Abuja during the meeting of the Committee of National experts to the 63rd ordinary session of the LCBC Council of Ministers meeting.

He noted that before Boko Haram became violent in the region in 2014, the LCBC was able to implement some projects in rural communities for poverty alleviation and provision of water for drinking and sanitation.

According to him, the commission had been unable to send people to the rural communities because of Boko Haram activities.

He said with the partial degradation of the insurgents, the situation was becoming favourable for execution of the project, adding that the programme was now focused on regional stabilisation of the areas that are most affected by the terrorist group.

He informed of global plans to address the challenges in the region as a collective effort by the four member countries of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

February 25, 2018
FG inaugurates Committee to implement Water Resources master plan

The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, on Friday inaugurated a 14-member Policy Advisory Committee to help in implementing the National Water Resources Master plan.

At the event in Abuja, Adamu said the committee became necessary considering the nation’s diverse and economic water resources which needed coordinated and integrated management.

According to him, continuous growth in population, urban migration, varied and increase in water demand requires well researched policies and effective planning.

“The Policy Advisory Committee shall advise the Minister of water resources concerning local and international developments in the water sector including the implementation of the National Water Resources Master Plan.

“They are to advise on climate change issues, Water Law and Policy implementation, Transboundary Water Issues, tracking of National Council on Water Resources decisions. ”

Adamu expressed hope that with the combined wealth of experience of the committee members, they would be able to meet the target before them.

He also expressed hope that the National Water Resources Bill before the National Assembly would be passed into law towards effective management of the water resources potential of the country.

The minister urged the members to brainstorm of what could be done to change the narrative of the water resources sector in the country, adding that Federal Government was more committed to improve the lives of all Nigerians.

The Chairman of the committee, Prof. Suleiman Mustapha, pledged the commitment of the team to actively engage between themselves towers better water resources management and integration.

READ ALSO: ‘Why Solid Minerals Fund was restructured’

Mustapha said the Terms of Reference highlights the urgent issues of the water resources sector, citing the issues of climate change, Lake chad receding, adding that concerted efforts was needed to reverse the trend.

“It’s an onerous task that must be done, We must shun every dishonesty and ensure that the targeted goal is met.

“Water resources over the years have not been given the necessary attention, with this committee in place, we will go forward.”

Another committee member, Mr Michael Adesina, said it was saddening to note that Water resources development has not been given priority of attention, saying more commitment was needed from all stakeholders to move the sector forward.

He cited the 2012 floods which saw some villages washed away due to the inability of the Benue basin to to accommodate the water.

He added that there was the need to keep the momentum high on the importance of water resources as it affects health, socio-economic development.

“If you go round the cities, no less than 50 per cent of hospital attendance and admission are as a result of water borne disease, we need to keep talking about these issues. ”

Others members of the committee are Prof. Ben Nwachukwu, Prof. Lekan Oyebande, Nurudeen Rafindadi, Dr Dauda Gowon, James Obong-Bassey and Musa Ibrahim.

Others are Dr Emmanuel Adanu, Tanwa Koya, Garba Iliya among others.

NAN

January 26, 2018
Global forum on Lake Chad holds next month

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources will host a global forum on sustainable solutions to save the drought-ravaged Lake Chad between February 26 and 28, 2018, in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Musa Ibrahim.

Ibrahim said the conference would be held in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

The theme of the conference is: “Saving the Lake Chad to revitalise the Basin’s Ecosystem for Sustainable Livelihood, Security and Development.’’

He explained that the objective of the conference was to create global awareness on the socio-economic and environmental challenges arising from the shrinkage of the lake. He further explained that the forum would present an opportunity to deliberate on the effect of the lake’s desiccation on people’s livelihoods and security, with a view to developing a comprehensive programme and action plan to address it.

Ibrahim added that the conference would inform stakeholders on the opinions on the various solutions to restore the lake. He listed one of the solutions to include the Inter-Basin Water Transfer (IBWT) project, aimed at transferring water from Ubangi River in the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Chad basin.

He said there was a need to gather political and financial support for the restoration of the Chad Basin.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lake Chad is about eight per cent of the size of Africa and the lake is shared by Algeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Nigeria, Niger and Sudan.

The eight countries have an estimated population of 373.6 million, with 12 per cent of the estimated population living around the Lake Chad in 2013.

The people living in the basin depend on the lake for water supply as well as farming, fishing and livestock production.

Information available on the LCBC website says that a review of the hydrology of the Lake Chad Basin shows that in the wet years (years before 1973), water inflow into the basin averaged between 30km3 and 40km3 per year. In the dry years (years after 1974), water inflow averaged between 20km3 and 21km3 per annum, while the lowest inflow – 16km3 – was recorded in 1984.

January 18, 2018
Nigeria, UNESCO to hold Lake Chad conference in February

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources says it will host a global forum on sustainable solutions to save the drought-ravaged Lake Chad between February 26 and 28 in Abuja.

Dr Musa Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, said this in a statement in Abuja on Friday.

He said that the theme of the conference was “Saving the Lake Chad to revitalise the Basin’s Ecosystem for Sustainable Livelihood, Security and Development’’.

He said that the ministry would hold the conference, in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission ( LCBC ).

According to him, the objective of the conference is to create global awareness on the socio-economic and environmental challenges arising from the shrinkage of the lake.

He said that the forum would be an opportunity to deliberate on the effect of the lake’s desiccation on people’s livelihoods and security, with a view to developing a comprehensive programme and action plan to address it.

Musa added that the conference would also inform stakeholders on the consensus of opinion on the different solutions to restore the lake.

He said that the solutions included the Inter-Basin Water Transfer ( IBWT ) project, which was aimed at transferring water from Ubangi River in the Democratic Republic of Congo into the Chad basin.

He said that there was a need to gather political and financial support for the overall restoration of the Chad basin.

According to reports, Lake Chad is about eight per cent of the size of Africa and the lake is shared by Algeria, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Nigeria, Niger and Sudan.

Read also: Lake Chad Basin: OCHA Chief to Visit Nigeria, Niger

The eight countries have an estimated population of 373.6 million, with 12 per cent of the estimated population living around the Lake Chad in 2013.

The people living in the basin depend on the lake for water supply as well as farming, fishing and livestock production.

However, the LCBC website says that a review of the hydrology of the Lake Chad Basin shows that in the wet years (years before 1973), water inflow into the basin averaged between 30km3 and 40km3 per annum.

The website says that in the dry years (years after 1974), water inflow averaged between 20km3 and 21km3 per annum, while the lowest inflow — 16km3 – was recorded in 1984.

NAN

January 12, 2018