Lack of funds, insecurity threaten water transfer to Lake Chad

The lake’s receding waters, according to experts, is as a result of climate change and other natural causes which include reduced rainfall, high evaporation, West Africa’s disastrous Sahelian drought and human activities.Alhaji Sanusi Abdullahi, Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) said $14.5 billion was needed for the transfer of water from Ubangi River, the […]

The lake’s receding waters, according to experts, is as a result of climate change and other natural causes which include reduced rainfall, high evaporation, West Africa’s disastrous Sahelian drought and human activities.
Alhaji Sanusi Abdullahi, Executive Secretary, Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) said $14.5 billion was needed for the transfer of water from Ubangi River, the largest right bank tributary of the Congo River in the Central African Republic, to Lake Chad.
He said already, Nigeria has provided about $5 million for the feasibility study of the Lake Chad recharge, adding that “some key issues such as environmental impact and others needed to be addressed before the commencement of the water transfer.”
“From the studies conducted, we have seen that the water transfer is technically feasible and economically viable but certain fundamental issues need to be addressed before the transfer can begin,” he added.
He noted that the transfer would begin in 2017 on the condition that the commission was able to raise the needed $14.5 billion.
According to him, the commission has developed a five-year ecosystem integrity plan to improve the quality and quantity of the water in the lake for sustainable use of natural resources and preservation of the ecosystem.
He urged member states to combat the effects of climate change which was partly responsible for the receding waters of the lake.
He said: “The drastic shrinking of the Lake Chad is a clear evidence of the negative effect of global warming. Our salvation lies in looking inwards to find ways and means of mitigating the effect of climate change. We also need to imbibe the recommended adaptation and mitigation measures suitable to our environment to stop the scourge of climate change that is cursing land degradation and water resources stress in our region. We can do this through proper planning and implementation of long term soil and water conservation interventions. This will guarantee our food security and alleviate poverty.”
The Minister of Water Resources Mrs Sarah Ochekpe also called on the six member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission to show total commitment towards the transfer of water to the receding lake.
Ochekpe who is also the First Commissioner of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, noted that the receding water of the Lake Chad was of great concern to all.
She said: “Over 30 million people have been impacted negatively resulting to drought, poverty, migrations and insecurity among others. In the spirit of integration, I urge member states, through political will and financial support, to come together to address the menace in the region by supporting the inter-basin water transfer from Ubangi to Lake Chad.
“We are hopeful that when the waters of the lake are rejuvenated, activities within the basin will increase thereby creating jobs for the unemployed in the region, raising income levels and promoting the general wellbeing of the populace.”
She promised that as one of the initiators of this laudable project, Nigeria would continue to play a vital role towards ensuring that the project becomes a reality.  “I can confirm to you practically that water transfer from the Ubangi to Lake Chad is possible because Nigeria has tried it, though on a small scale, and it is working.”
Recently, each member country pledged to contribute a battalion to the force for the security of the basin, especially as security challenges had crippled activities around the basin and led to the closure of the Regional School of Agriculture.
Information from the LCBC shows that only the Republic of Chad has settled all its financial obligations to the commission, while the current arrears is N5.2bn FCFA.
A donors roundtable conference is in the offing to sensitize and appeal to the international community, particularly those with technical and financial capacity, on the plight of the dwindling Lake Chad.
The conference, according to the LCBC, would seek funds to carry out further studies to determine the retention capacity of the lake so as to guarantee that water transfer efforts can be sustained and also boost the flow regime of water into the Lake Chad and the River Benue which is a major tributary of River Niger.
The Commission recently appointed former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr Hama Arba Diallo as its Ambassadors as part of strategy to garner international support to actualise the revival programme of the lake.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Amimu Waziri Tambuwal, said during the just concluded 1st meeting of Speakers and Presidents of National Parliaments of LCBC member states in Abuja that the parliamentary body would work with the secretariat to ensure synergy and coordinated approach to achieve the inter-basin water transfer programme.