Gov. Buni Partners Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu On Yobe River Basin

Gov.Buni Partners Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu On Yobe River Basin

By Usman Bello, Damaturu

In Determining to improve livelihood, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni is partnering the Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu Yobe River Basin to promote the socio-economic status of millions of people along the river line.

The six states of Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu Yobe River Basin Trust Fund converge in Damaturu for consolidating knowledge and action for the restoration of the basin.

Declaring the workshop open, Governor Mai Mala Buni said the workshop is timely and geared towards addressing the current challenges affecting the River Basin and livelihood of millions of people along the river line, Nigeria and even beyond when revitalized.

The Governor re-affirmed the commitment of his administration towards ensuring the sustainability of the basin to enhance the commercial activities of the people living along the Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu Yobe River Basin through various interventions.

He was represented by the Permanent Secretary Yobe State Ministry of Water Resources, Abdullahi Abba where the Governor explained that despite attempts to salvage the situation, Federal Government and the six reparian states constituted the Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu Yobe River Basin Trust Fund to live up to it’s responsibilities of improving the flow of water into Lake Chad which is the only basin in Nigeria that does not drain into the Atlantic ocean.

The State Chief Executive added that his administration has taken measures to address the problems of climate change and environmental challenges through planting of millions of seedlings of trees to combat Desert encroachment, erosion and manmade factors that are affecting the environment.

He also assured the readiness of his administration to give the trust fund all the necessary support and cooperation to focus on impact of current challenges such as poverty , insurgency, climate change and Covid-19 pandemic on the various communities along the basin.
Earlier speaking, the Chairman Board of trustees Hadeja Jama’are Kumadugu Yobe River Basin Trust Fund Engr. Mai Ladi Yusuf Abba said the Trust Fund was established in 2006 by the Federal Government in partnership with Bauchi , Borno , Jigawa, Kano, Plateau and Yobe states to evaluate the impact of climate change and manage the water resources of the basin.

Abba also added that they embarked on the revitalization mission after decades of activities of insurgents that affected the Northeast region.

READ ALSO:  Secondus, Tambuwal Flag Off Construction Of N12bn Roads In Bauchi
Chairman board of trustees used the medium and appreciated the efforts of the states Governors of the basin for their numerous support and interventions and appealed for continued support to the trust fund for sustainability of the program.

During the workshop papers were presented by Professor Haruna Hassan Badiya, Dr Zaji Bunu, Professor Ngamdu , and Dr. Yusuf Maina Bukar on effect of climate change and solutions, funding challenges of the basin and capacity for project implementation respectively.

The participants of the workshop were drawn from community leaders, experts, stakeholders, and dedicated individuals to exchange knowledge, brainstorm ideas and chart a course for action within the basin for years to come.