Lake Chad Basin: Member countries tasked on developing measures to mitigate COVID-19 impacts

 

  Federal Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu.

The Federal government has charged member-countries to show ingenuity in developing new measures to mitigate the COVID-19 impacts on their populations and economies.

The Minister of Water Resources and Chairman, Council of Ministers of Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu, gave the charge yesterday 15th April, 2021 in Abuja during the 66th Session of the Council of Ministers on Video-conference.

The Minister in a press release issued on Friday by Mrs Kenechukwu Offie - the Director, Press and Public Relations Unit of the  Federal Ministry of Water Resources, stated that since their last meeting in December 2019 in Yaounde, the world was seized by the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic.

According to Adamu, the sub-region of the Basin was not spared. 

“This global phenomenon with its attendant economic, social, and humanitarian consequences, has exacerbated the complex socio-economic and security challenges we are confronted with in the Lake Chad Region, and has significantly reduced the capacity of member States in the fight against poverty and insecurity," he said.


The Minister recognized that there is need for firm and decisive policies with committed actions to address the insecurity, health, economic, environmental, and social challenges in the region, given the new addition to the complexity of the challenges of the region.

Further, Adamu drew attention of the meeting to four (4) key priority areas that he believes if properly addressed, would provide the people of the region with immediate and appreciable results. 

"The priority areas are: Insecurity in the Region due to the unpredictable activities of Boko Haram and other Terrorist Groups that continue to operate within isolated communities of the Region. Climate change and its attendant challenges such as reduced access to Natural Resources including water and arable land. Poverty and reduced means of livelihoods. Lastly, Youths unemployment and inclusive growth," the release hinted.


The Minister expressed his optimism that if Lake Chad Region must overcome its current insecurity challenges, member countries through the LCBC must continue to sustain and enhance efforts at addressing the aforementioned challenges.

The Minister thanked the Presidebt of Chad, Marshal Idriss Deby,  the Government and the people of his country for accepting to host the 66th Session of the Council of Ministers meeting, despite the current health pandemic around the globe.


 He congratulated the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Amb. Mamman Nuhu and his team for their efforts in organizing the meeting, which is being held for the first time by video-conference.