Niger Basin countries plan judicious use of water

The nine member countries of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) met in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, on 16-17 February to examine ways to ensure that the waters of River Niger and its tributaries are used in an ecologically balanced way. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo proposed at Saturday's opening session of the meeting that member states suspend all capital projects that affect the Niger and its tributaries until studies had been carried out to determine that such projects would be in the interest of all countries concerned. "We all need to sit down and think through very carefully the current trend of proliferation of dams along the river and its tributaries," Obasanjo said. "We are thus compelled to continually rub minds on how best to keep the Niger and its basin healthy, ecologically balanced as well as productive so that it can continue to be the livewire for our peoples." Although no formal communique was issued at the end of the meeting, officials said its agenda included the need to coordinate and integrate projects affecting the Niger Basin rivers for the optimum benefit of the people of NBA member countries. Four member states- Benin, Mali, Niger and Nigeria- were represented by their presidents, while Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea sent other senior officials. President Alpha Konare of Mali is the current chairman of the Abuja-based organisation.