Nigeria hosts global confab on Lake Chad

Abuja

The federal government in collaboration with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) is organizing an International Conference on Lake Chad.
The Conference according to a statement signed by the Chairman, Media & Publicity Sub-Committee, Mrs. Margaret Umoh, is scheduled to hold from Monday, 26th to Wednesday 28th February, 2018 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.
The conference with the theme “Saving the Lake Chad to Revitalize the Basin’s Ecosystem for Sustainable Livelihood, Security and Development”, aims to create global awareness on the socio-economic challenges arising from the shrinkage of the Lake Chad such as insecurity and threat to livelihoods with a view to developing a comprehensive programme of action to save the Lake from extinction.
Heads of States from member countries of the Lake Chad region, global partners and experts from across the world are expected at the 3-day Conference.
Also, the The conference is expected to garner political and financial support, for the restoration option identified for the Lake Chad.
Meanwhile, the federal government has inaugurated the Boards of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) to further boost the prudent and resourceful management of the water sector.
Inaugurating the Board last Thursday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, said that the parastatals and agencies under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources were established to provide the necessary legal framework for the discharge of their respective mandates.
Adamu stated that in respect of the River Basin Development Authorities,(RBDAs) the federal government is poised to increasing the irrigable land from 130,000 hectares to 500,000 hectares in the next 14 years with the entire requisite infrastructure. According to him, it would support food production, enhance national food security and socio-economic development.
He charged all the Chairmen and members of the boards to live to full expectations of the President as the cardinal focus of the administration is anchored on the diversification of the economy through agriculture.
While delivering his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Musa Ibrahim, charged the chairmen and board members to ensure good governance in their respective organizations in order to actualize the dreams of the present administration especially in promoting economic growth, food security and prosperity for Nigerians.
Responding on behalf of the board members the chairman, Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, Dr. Hilary Ekeh appreciated the government for their appointment and pledged to uphold the policies and programmes of government towards a better life for all Nigerians.

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