The federal government has signed a contract agreement with SMEC International PTY Ltd for the preparation of a strategic action plan for the development of water resources in the Komadugu-Yobe Basin in Yobe State.
The administrative secretary of Hadejia-Jama’are-Komadugu-Yobe Basin Trust Fund, Dr Hassan Bdliya, expressed optimism that the project will address water resources management issues in the basin by applying the integrated water resources management approach with the river basin and costing of viable physical interventions that will enhance livelihoods and ecosystems in the basin.
“The project of about €1.9 million is supported by the grant from the African Water Facility and managed by the African Development Bank. It would cut across 6 states in the North West and North East Zones of the country,” he said.
Bdliya further stated that the agreement between the federal government and SMEC was a positive milestone in resolving the lingering degradation and economic crisis of the region.
Meanwhile, the West Africa regional manager of SMEC, Mr Jose Fernandes, commended the federal government for its boldness in signing the agreement, adding that the effort would go a long way in addressing the many challenges occasioned by degradation of the water and land resources in the basin.
Fernandes highlighted the specific objectives of the project as formulation of the Komadugu-Yobe Basin Water Resources Development Strategic Action Plan (SAP), development of a modified reservoir operation rules for the re-operations of the Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams that optimise water resources allocation and the use and preparation of water resources development projects for implementation over the short term period of the plan.
