President Muhammadu Buhari has called for international support to ramp up development efforts in the Niger Basin area which is currently home to more than 160 million people who depend on the River for their livelihoods.
Buhari said this in Abuja on Thursday while declaring open the virtual 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Niger Basin Authority.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, titled ‘President Buhari calls for global support to develop Niger Basin.’
According to the statement, the President said the Niger River offers enormous development opportunities in fish farming, animal husbandry, agriculture, fishing, hydropower, hydraulics and navigation.
‘‘It is, therefore, necessary to continue to promote its enormous potential for the benefit of our people, and to improve the socio-economic development of the region.’’
He thanked the Technical and Financial Partners, including the African Development Bank, the Global Environment Fund, the German Financial Cooperation, for identifying with the vision and projects of the authority.
He also urged them to keep supporting efforts at developing the Niger Basin in the fight against pollution and the degradation of ecosystems.
