In a concerted effort to enhance the accessibility to clean, potable drinking water for rural communities across the West African Sub-region, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has highlighted the pivotal role of unity among member states, recognizing the immense potential inherent within the West African Subregion.
In his opening address at the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC) of the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa convened today in Abuja, Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, FNICE, FNIWE underscored the pivotal role of Integrated Water Management in advancing regional development and stability.
He highlighted the imperative for effective management of shared Water Resources and potential benefits for health, education, tourism, food security, and energy through collaborative efforts. The Minister expressed confidence in the expertise and commitment of participants, anticipating substantive recommendations and resolutions aimed at advancing the water sector and promoting regional cooperation in West Africa.
He further disclosed that the session’s agenda includes addressing key initiatives such as the draft ECOWAS –Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) Strategic Plan 2020 – 2030, directives on water infrastructure development, guidelines for managing shared water resources, revival of trans-boundary basin organizations, institutional reforms, and the operationalization of a regional water observatory.
Engr. Prof. Utsev extended appreciation to the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC) for selecting Nigeria to benefit from the Year 2024 ECOWAS Special Project Implementation for Access to Drinking Water in Rural Areas, affirming Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging its expertise for successful project execution.
An address delivered by the Honourable Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalization of the ECOWAS Commission, Sedico Douka, on behalf of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted the historical context of West Africa’s commitment to IWRM since 1998. He emphasized the Session’s significance in revitalizing the Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (PCMF) and evaluating the West Africa Water Resources Policy (WAWRP) implementation, nearly nine years after the last Session in Dakar.
Douka underscored critical agenda items including the draft Strategic Plan for the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Center, establishment of a West African Water Facility (Fund), ECOWAS Member States’ accession to the 1992 Water Convention, and the Regional Initiative for the Development, Resilience, and Valorization of Water Resources (DREVE) among others.
He drew parallels between water and energy sectors regarding access challenges and urged acceleration of tangible projects for water and sanitation access. He called upon Technical and Financial partners to support these initiatives, expressing gratitude to the Government of Nigeria and partners for their steadfast support.
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation in leveraging water resources for transformative impact in West Africa, expressing confidence that deliberations would significantly advance the regional IWRM agenda.
The Session was attended by Water Resources Ministers from The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, along with representatives of Water Resources Ministers from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo.
Additionally, the meeting included National Focal Points from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Focal Points from Basin Organisations (ABM, ABN, OMVG, OMVS) and those in inception (ABCBT, ABMRU) were in attendance, as well as representatives from sub-regional institutions and partners such as WAEMU, ICDCS, GWP/AO, AMCOW, AWF/AfDB, World Bank, UNICEF, ACEWATER/AUDA-NEPAD, IWMI, relevant ECOWAS bodies and Directors of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
Communiqué Issued Highlighted Deliberations and Resolutions taken at the Session