President Muhammadu Buhari has called for global support to develop the resources in the Niger Basin area – home to over 160 million people who depend on the river as a means of sustenance.
He made the call on Thursday in Abuja when he declared open the virtual 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA).
The President believes the Niger River, commonly called Djoliba in Guinea and Mali, offers enormous development opportunities in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, fish farming, hydropower, hydraulics and navigation.
President Buhari commended technical and financial partners, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), Global Environment Fund (GEF), and German Financial Cooperation (KFW), for identifying with the vision and projects of the authority.
He urged them to continue to support efforts at developing the Niger Basin in the fight against pollution and the degradation of ecosystems, in order to manage its resources in a sustainable and equitable manner.