To strengthen activities and ensure integrated development, Niger Basin Authority (NBA) has set up an ad-hoc committee to discuss mechanisms for the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Fund and the Payment for Environmental Services (RCCF/PES).
At its 11th Summit held in Cotonou in 2016, NBA had approved the establishment of a Regional Climate Change and Adaptation Fund (RCCAF) and a mechanism for the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) as a means to finance the activities of the basin.
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Speaking at the national workshop held yesterday in Abuja with the theme: “Establishment and Operationalization of the Regional Climate Change and Adaptation Fund/Payment for Environmental Services (RCCF/PES),” permanent secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack who declared it open stated that the mechanism is an alternative platform to funding the NBA.
Walson-jack mentioned that one of the challenges facing the basin in carrying out its projects and programmes has been unavailability of sufficient funds as a result of nonpayment of annual contributions from member countries and dwindling support from international development partners.
According to her, the RCCAF is in line with the fourth principle of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) with a validated study on autonomous and sustainable financing which was under the mechanisms adopted by the basin’s high authorities.
She further said the workshop also showcased part of the implementation of the programme for the Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB) which was facilitated by the NBA and funded by the development partners led by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
In her remarks, president of Ad ’hoc Advocacy Committee in Nigeria, Mrs Christine Gbedji said floods, droughts and climate variability heralding climate change are more frequent which are becoming a reality to be faced with insight.
She said the major users of these resources of the Niger River should contribute to preserving and sustaining them for the needs of their activities and other vital uses.
According to her, “The basin is in dire need of other sustainable and perennial financing sources for the implementation of development projects and programmes.
“Today, to reverse this trend of the degradation of natural resources and climate change, it is necessary and imperative to find innovative financing sources for sustainable investments for the sustained development of the NBA.”
The vice president of the National Coordinating Unit of Water Users’ Kanji in Nigeria, Aliu Usman, explained how climate change has affected most of the activities on the upper Niger such as farming, and fishing, among others.