Nigeria, Cameroon to sign MOU on River Benue basin

Nigeria, Cameroon to sign MOU on River Benue basin

Nigeria, Cameroon to sign MOU on River Benue basin

By Alex Abutu

Preparation is in top gear for the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroon to sign a Memoranda of Understanding on the management of water resources in the River Benue basin.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, made this known while declaring open the technical experts meeting between the two countries on the MOU document ahead of the official signing expected to hold in December, 2015.

Mrs. Jimeta, recalled that in 2013, the then minister of Water Resources visited the Republic of Cameroon as a result of the 2012 flooding that led to the loss of lives and property in Nigeria and that during the visit, both countries agreed that there was need to establish a framework of cooperation for exchange of data and information on reservoir management and water released of Lagdo Dam and similar structures in the entire River Benue basin.

They also agreed to sign a MOU for the exchange of data and information on the management of the shared basin for better planning and sustainable development of both countries, amongst others.

The permanent secretary said in the light of that, several meetings of experts have been held to harmonize the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.

Speaking at the meeting, the Cameroonian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Salahiddine Abbas, said that the MOU would harmonize all efforts of the two countries in managing the River Benue basin.