The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasized the importance of unity among member states, in a bid to improve access to clean drinking water for rural communities across West Africa, recognizing the region’s significant potential.
In his opening address at the 5th Ordinary Session of the Ministerial Monitoring Committee (MMC) of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in West Africa, held in Abuja, Nigeria, the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted the crucial role of Integrated Water Management in fostering regional development and stability.
He stressed the need for effective management of shared water resources and the 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 significant recommendations and resolutions to advance the water sector and enhance regional cooperation in West Africa.
Prof. Utsev revealed that the session’s agenda includes discussing 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, the revival of trans-boundary basin organizations, institutional reforms, and the establishment of a regional water observatory.
He expressed gratitude to the WRMC for selecting Nigeria to benefit from the 2024 ECOWAS Special Project for Access to Drinking Water in Rural Areas and affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to leveraging its expertise for successful project execution.
In 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, the historical context of West Africa’s commitment to IWRM since 1998 was highlighted. He emphasized the session’s significance in revitalizing the Permanent Coordination and Monitoring Framework (PCMF) and assessing the implementation of the West Africa Water Resources Policy (WAWRP), nearly nine years after the last session in Dakar.
Douka highlighted critical agenda items, including the draft Strategic Plan for the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, the 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).
He drew parallels between the water and energy sectors regarding access challenges and called for the acceleration of tangible projects for water and sanitation access. He urged technical and financial partners to support these initiatives and expressed gratitude to the Government of Nigeria and other partners for their continued support.
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of regional and international cooperation in leveraging water resources for transformative impact in West Africa, expressing confidence that the 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 from Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, and Togo.
