The Honourable Minister of Water Resources Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE, FAEng has stated that the decision to inaugurate the Steering Committee for the Implementation of Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change/ Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB) will ensure Government’s obligation on the financing arrangement and subsequent signing of the agreement for the Implementation of PIDACC/NB in Nigeria with African Development Fund.
Engr. Adamu made this known at the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the implementation of PIDACC/NB on Wednesday 6th April in Abuja.
He stated that PIDACC/NB is the second phase of the Niger Basin’s Silt and Erosion Control Programme which was funded by the African Development Fund (ADF) and was successfully executed by the Niger Basin Authority in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from 2005 to 2011.
The Minister also revealed that in view of the benefits obtained by the beneficiary States in the first phase, the Niger Basin Authority initiated the second phase of the Regional Programme (PIDACC/NB) by extending it to other member Countries of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) which include Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Cote D’ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Chad.
Engr. Adamu emphasized that the objectives of PIDACC/NB include building resilience of ecosystems and natural resources, building resilience of population, and program coordination and management in Nigeria.
He enjoined the committee to live up to expectation by providing guidance and ensuring the achievement of the Project Development Objectives (PDO), the approval of Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP & B) and the appraisal of regular progress reports and financial statements for informed decisions.
The Committee as inaugurated by the Minister will be Chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Didi Walson -Jack mni, Engr. Baba Musa who is the National coordinator of PIDACC/NB will be the secretary of the Committee. Other members of the Committee include Mrs. Alice Ojowu (Director, Department of Water Resources Planning and Technical Support Services, Federal Ministry of Water Resources), Mrs. Aisha Omar (Director, Department of International Economic Relations, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning), Mr. Abbas Suleiman (Director, Department of Environmental Assessment, Federal Ministry of Environment), Engr. A. Abubakar (Director, Department of Agriculture, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), Engr. Abubakar Mu’azu (Managing Director, Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority), Prof M. Ali (Managing Director, Upper Niger River Basin Authority).
Engr. Muhammed Bature (Managing Director, Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority) and Engr. Gerald Osuagwu (Managing Director Anambra-Imo River Basin Authority) are also members of the committee.
The Honourable Minister urged the Steering Committee members to put in their best and ensure the proper implementation of PIDACC/NB in Nigeria.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Didi Walson -Jack mni in her address stated that the inauguration and meeting of the Committee will give opportunity to the consult between the Bank and the Nigeria Government, with a view to finding adequate solutions to the problems facing the project implementation for the well-being of the citizens.
Mrs Walson-Jack pointed out that the project when completed will empower women, youths and vulnerable groups, and also support the ecosystem of the Sub-Basins as well as be in line with Mr. President’s Nine Point Agenda, specifically in the areas of stabilizing the macro-economy and enhancing social inclusion and reduction of poverty.
Also in his presentation, the National Coordinator PIDACC/NB and the Secretary of the Steering Committee, Engr. Baba Musa gave an overview of the project in Nigeria which he believes will consolidate on the achievements recorded in the first phase by improving the natural resources and maintaining the ecosystem.
Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan
DD (Press and Public Relations)
7th April, 2022.
