News Summary:

●…To use scientific and cultural methods to restore river Basin

●…Partnership to be done through Water Resources Ministry

●…To strengthen capacities of member states of commission for three years

●… Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Niger and Nigeria are the member states

●…To launch BIOPALT  Feb. 15 and 16…BIOPALT to be funded by ADB for three years

●…Discussions between Buhari, Ex-DG UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova

The UN Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on Wednesday said it is partnering with the Federal Government to use scientific and cultural methods to restore the Lake Chad basin.

The partnership will be done through the Ministry of Water Resources to launch BIOPALT, a project targeted at scientifically and culturally restoring the basin.

Dr. Osuji Otu, the National Programme Officer for Sciences of UNESCO disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

BIOPALT project aims to strengthen the capacities of the member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission – Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Niger and Nigeria for three years.

The project is to safeguard and sustainably manage the hydrological, biological and cultural resources of the Lake Chad basin across their borders in order to support poverty reduction and promote peace.

“Presently, we are having consultation with partners which is aimed at launching BIOPALT in Feb. 15 and 16.

“This is a Lake Chad project that restores the depleted basin using scientific and cultural methods to restore peace in Lake Chad as well as sustainable development within the basin.

“The BIOPALT is the launching of the special project funded by African Development Bank which will last for three years and benefiting five countries- Chad, Nigel, Cameroon, Nigeria and Congo.

“It has been launched in other countries. Once it is launched here, we can start the project implementation within the Lake Chad basin for the next three years,” Otu said.

According to him, the consultation meeting involves lots of partners working together toward the implementation of the project when it is launched.

The restoration of the Lake Chad basin became necessary following discussions between President Muhammadu Buhari and UNESCO’s former Director General, Ms. Irina Bokova in August 2016.

The discussion was on issues of mutual interest toward attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and to reflect on the future of the lake.

At that time, President Buhari called for UNESCO’s assistance to organise an international conference to reflect on the future of the Lake and support the preservation of the surrounding environment.

Buhari in Dec. 2017 approved the conference to be hosted in Abuja with the objective of creating global awareness on the socio-economic and environmental challenges arising from the shrinkage of the Lake Chad.

Other concerns to be discussed at the conference are threat to livelihoods including insecurity with a view to developing a comprehensive programme for action to save the lake from extinction.

The conference is expected to also discuss and develop consensus on the different options to restore Lake Chad, including the Inter-Basin Water Transfer project from the Ubangi River in Central Africa to the Lake Chad.

Desyner:
These are some of the things Buhari should be channelling his fast-depleting energy towards instead of chasing phantom oil and gas in the north.

Desyner:
These are some of the things Buhari should be channelling his fast-depleting energy towards instead of chasing phantom oil and gas in the north.

Blue3k2:

What made u change your mind. This is same transaqua project you were staunchly opposed to. Oh a fun fact I learned researching project. If this project happens it would be biggest water transfer project ever assuming they're planning on diverting 2% of Congo river.

To me it could be an attempt at brainwashing the neutral minority northerners into supporting Buhari in 2019. The reasons given were carefully woven around the success of Buhari 2019 re-election bid.
Will the dam be more beneficial to us than if the govt invest in refineries the size of Dangote's (650,000 bpd) ?
I will never trust the northerners they are too sheepish and docile. Take into account the proximity of the volatile northeast to this project.

Desyner:


This was my comment in that thread.

It was informed by the tone of the writer. I have always supported every region playing to their strength as against the blind crude focus.

Desyner:
If what you post here is beyond your brain, there is a romance section.
We have oil already, that's quality raw material that can add value being sold to fund a projects that's beyond the FG's control. What's the wisdom in it? To me it is a propaganda article void of realistic, medium term prospect.

Blue3k2:


These were also your comments. If you felt it's propaganda project I doubt you were for it. It's stil weird you felt writer was bias when they gave every side of story. I remember two opposing hyper links. Then other reasons this could fall apart.

Does this author's tone makes everything more viable? It's weird you read you read same thing and have 2 different opinions. This author told you less information funny enough.

Desyner:
And what's wrong with my submission? I sampled my first comment already. Juxtapose them and stop that twisting oe words. Plus I expect you to be able to sort out my stance on the project and the article itself.

Some of my points;
-It is still a long term project.
-The said article still has the coloration of desperate propaganda.
-Refineries are still shorter term projects compared to the project and
-Our raw material (crude oil) is still being underutilized & a more logical investment for the FG to me.

State your points clearly and stop fooling around.

Blue3k2:


How can I be twisting words when your comment right there. You talk about government investment in refineries like they haven't screwed up that. They already had private sector operators stepping in so it's better they don't. Dangote, petrolex and who every serious about modular refinery. I guess decades of TAM and talks with mapet haven't changed mind. The 4 NNPC refineries are doomed.


• you said article propaganda but they gave both sides to story. (Mostly because you didn't read it)
• you brought up Boko Haram when project eould be at tributary of Congo Congo river. Is bolo Haram in Central African Republic?
• it's a long term project so what.
• you also said it's propaganda to get middle belt minorities to vote for buhari even they they don't directly benefit from project. The would be more cinverned with herdsmen security issues.

Your conspiracy theory didn't make sense then and now. You read same thing and suddenly had change if heart. If you think article talking about project was propaganda then you didn't want project.