Niger Basin Authority (NBA) member countries have been enjoined to pay their contributions regularly to sustain the management of the basin and to show confidence on the Development Partners that usually support the activities of Authority in their respective countries.
President Goodluck Jonathan made the call while declaring open Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority member countries in Abuja.
President Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, said that the meeting was convened to examine the financial constraints of the Authority as a result of delays in payment of contributions by member countries.
“The Extraordinary Session will seek ways and means to address this and other issues that are germane to good governance of the NBA as it mark 50 years since its establishment, “he said.
He commended the efforts of the NBA Secretariat for managing the affairs of the Authority which has attracted the technical and development partners to collaborate with member countries on various projects and activities.
The President however said, “in order to preserve our partners’ trust therefore, member countries must make efforts to ensure the smooth running of the institution, especially by paying their contributions as at when due”.
In his remarks the Executive Secretary of the NBA, Major General Collins Ihekire,(rtd) said that NBA office remains committed to improving the lives of citizenry of the member countries through the implementation of projects and programmes in synergy with the Ministers of Water Resources of member Countries.
Speaking on the financial situation of the Authority, the Executive Secretary said, “It is no secret that the expectation of member courtiers and people depending on the exploitation of Niger Basin resources are enormous. That is why it is necessary that member countries should pay their contributions on time which will be an encouragement to our financial partners”.
Ihekire, disclosed that the 50th anniversary celebration of the NBA would come up in November, 2014, adding that within the 50 years NBA had been able to position itself in the international world and remain close to the people of the basin.
“ I would like to congratulate all the countries for their contribution for making the fiftieth anniversary film, your contribution at all levels have enabled us to achieve positive result at the continental level and allowed NBA to maintain its position as a reference basin organization,” he added.
The member countries that constitute NBA are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad , Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, and its Headquarter in Niamey, Republic of Niger.