NAN-AE-3
Groundwater
By Tosin Kolade
Abuja, July 26, 2017 (NAN) The African Ministers Council on Water (AMCOW) is seeking strengthened collaboration among stakeholders on how best to manage and use groundwater resources effectively on the continent.
According to a statement e-mailed to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday, the council made the call at its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting in Tanzania.
The statement quoted the Executive Secretary of AMCOW, Dr Canisius Kanagire, as saying that the importance of groundwater in the lives of Africans and the African economies could not be over-emphasised.
He underscored the need to establish a think tank which would advise AMCOW on how best to manage and use groundwater resources.
Kanagire said that the think tank would strive to prevent groundwater pollution, while ensuring the renewal of groundwater resources and building adequate capacity to get maximum benefits from the resources.
“To me, the outcomes of the think tank will be the foundation on which the African Groundwater Commission will be built.
“I urge groundwater experts who are here to get something practically started here and now; I urge our partners to support us in that effort,” he said.
Kanagire said that the African Water Vision 2025, the Agenda 2063, the SDG 6 and other water-related goals or targets as well as other continental commitments like the N’Gor Declaration, could only be implemented with good coordination, collaboration and synergy.
He recalled that in 2007, the TAC decided to establish the African Groundwater Commission, as a programme of AMCOW that would coordinate the meetings of commissioners.
He said that the recommendations would be submitted to AMCOW through its Secretariat to guide decisions and policymaking.
Kanagire, however, expressed regret that 10 years after the establishment of the African Groundwater Commission, nothing had been done.
He stressed the need to build a well-coordinated and strong African water partnership that would bring the desired change.
He said that such change would enhance the people’s health and their dignity, thereby giving Africa an honourable ranking in 2030 when the world would be evaluating its achievements vis-à-vis its goals in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The executive secretary pledged the commitment of AMCOW to providing visionary political leadership to set game-changing continental agendas and facilitate access to sustainable funding for water security and safe sanitation for all.
NAN reports that the TAC provides technical support for the Executive Committee and the Governing Council of AMCOW, while formulating policies and strategies for the consideration of the Executive Committee on Coordination and Operational Follow-ups.
The committee comprises 25 technical experts — five from each of the five sub-regions of Africa and the sub-regions decide on the countries and experts that would be members of the committee.
AMCOW was formed in 2002 in Abuja to promote cooperation, security, socio-economic development and poverty eradication among member states via the effective management of Africa’s water resources and the provision of water supply services. (NAN)
TAK/MOL/OOK
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi and Dayo Komolafe