The inability of member states of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) to pay their contributions has been identified as one of the major challenges militating against the progress of the nine-nation association.
The Niger Basin Authority is an intergovernmental organisation in West Africa aiming to foster co-operation in managing and developing the resources of the basin of the River Niger.
The authority is made up of nine nations which include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.
Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Reng Ochekpe, said at an extra-ordinary session of the NBA which was held in Abuja that it was “convened to examine the financial constraints of the authority arising from delays and non-payment of contributions by member countries. The extraordinary session will seek ways and means to address this and other issues that are germane to the good governance of the NBA as it marks 50 years since its establishment.”
She commended the efforts of the NBA Secretariat for effectively managing the affairs of the authority which has spurred the unflinching support of member countries as well as attracted technical and development partners to collaborate with the authority on various projects and activities.
“In order to preserve our partners’ trust, therefore, member countries must make effort to ensure the smooth running of the institution, especially by paying their contributions as at and when due,” she said.
Maj. Gen. Collins Iherkire (rtd), NBA Executive Secretary said that delivering on the mandate of the authority as envisaged by its founding fathers as enormous hence the need for member countries to pay their contributions on time to encourage the authority’s financial partners as well as allow the secretariat develop programmes and activities that would better the lives of those depending on the river.
