The Transaqua Project is a big, ambitious initiative to replenish the waters of [url=http://www.un.org/africarenewal/magazine/april-2012/africa%E2%80%99s-vanishing-lake-chad]Lake Chad[/url], a fresh water inland lake in Central Africa.

It involves 12 countries working together to build a 2 400 km canal to move about 100 billion cubic metres of water from the River Congo to the lake every year. The Lake Chad basin supports more than 20 million people.

If accomplished, the Transaqua Project will change the face of Africa – for better or for worse. But like other regional or transnational projects on the continent, it may be delayed or abandoned if national politics are ignored.

The replenishment project, mooted over 30 years ago, involves building several dams along the length of the canal.

The dams will potentially generate 15 to 25 thousand million KWh of hydroelectricity and irrigate 50 000 to 70 000 km2 of land in the Sahel zone. This will stimulate development in agriculture, industry, transport and electricity for up to 12 African countries.

But the project is not immune from criticism. Some argue that claims that the lake is shrinking are exaggerated. Others argue that the plan poses serious environmental risks.

It is difficult to determine whether the canal will address why the lake is drying up. And who benefits, and what the benefits will be to each country still remain unknown. It’s also possible that disagreement within and between countries could scuttle the project.

A memorandum of understanding for a feasibility study and the construction of the project was signed in December 2016 by the Lake Chad Basin Commission and PowerChina, the Chinese state engineering and construction firm.

The commission represents the interests of the 12 countries involved in the project and is guided by The Water Charter. This is the main instrument that outlines the mechanisms for dispute settlement.

The Charter, though, focuses on dealing with conflicts between countries rather than within them.

It is therefore worrying that the most important country in the project, Nigeria, faces internal challenges that may affect the project.

The long term nature of the project demands that the participating states are relatively stable in political and economic terms. Nigeria, Cameroon and Libya account for 78% of member contributions to the commission. Libya is currently seen as a failed state, so the focus is on Nigeria to offer political direction for the project.
Nigeria mirrors the challenges

Nigeria plays a powerful role as a regional leader and a major financial member of the Lake Chad Basin. Nigeria also pays 40% of the commission’s membership contributions of €6,275,906.90 (2013 budget).

Three political issues in Nigeria could affect the project.

The first is that President Muhammadu Buhari has had an important influence on its progress. Since he assumed office in May 2015, four milestones have been reached:

• Nigeria ratified the Water Charter, five years after it was signed.

• Nigeria signed the Charter for the Lake Chad Basin into law.

• PowerChina and the Commission signed the memorandum of understanding.

• PowerChina and Italian firm Bonfica Spa signed a deal to conduct the feasibility study and build the Transaqua project.

If Buhari’s influence wanes, the project could lose momentum.

The second political issue is that Nigerians will go to the polls again in 2019. Buhari’s health challenges, combined with the country’s [url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/world/africa/muhammadu-buhari-nigeria-boko-haram.html?rref=collection%2Ftimestopic%2FNigeria&action=click&contentCollection=world&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=collection]economic and political challenges[/url], have reduced his approval ratings from 67% when he was elected to 44% in 2016.

The re-organisation and re-emergence of the opposition People’s Democratic Party gives voters a strong alternative, especially in parts of the country without an alternative political party that can compete with their political structure and finances.

That party, which was in power for 16 years, might not be able to meet the financial or security commitments to the water project because of their past history in government.

The third factor relates to institutional politics. The executive secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Abdullahi Sanusi Imran, has stated that the Transaqua idea “is much more appropriate for the situation of the Lake Chad than all other alternative solutions.” But an informal conversation with a senior Nigerian government official in the course of research fieldwork expressed concern about the choice of the Transaqua idea over other alternatives.

These alternatives were presented in the National Audit Report of Nigeria as part of the Joint Environmental Audit report on the drying up of Lake Chad: a report prepared by the Supreme Audit Institutions of each of the states for the African Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions. Dissenting positions can create unnecessary friction between government agencies and make it difficult to coordinate actions.
So what should come next?

Amendments to the Water Charter to provide for addressing intra-national political challenges are vital; a task for the African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions, the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Supreme Audit Institutions in their respective national domains. States could be required to outline how they might solve potential political challenges in their domains. Expectations and responsibilities should be built into the Charter beyond negotiations and gentleman’s agreements.

The Lake Chad Basin Commission, political office holders and government institutions should work together to make the project’s objectives a key election issue in subsequent elections.

Intra-national and national politics cannot be ignored. But the project should also harness local knowledge and experience, and recognise local conditions so that it’s accepted by everyone.

vedaxcool:
This thread should be closed for being far above intellect of most nairalanders.

Its an ambitious project I forsee many funding challenges in achieving the project. Reviving the Lake chad will reduce poverty and ensure BH and its likes have fewer people interested in being part of it.

Blue3k:


Yeah at least you cared to Comments so it was complete waste adding in all those hyperlinks. Most only care for sensational tooics. This topic is kind of dry in spite of it being being canal projet in Africa.

I do agree with the proposal for now. I'm still trying to read through the Lake chad Myth argument to see if I can agree with it. The project would do wonders in expanding the agricultural, fishing and livestock production. The power generation for the small commuities would help on value added activities.

The funding I'm not worried from what I understand chins will hand out loans since this part of one belt one road. It's how each country will agree to repay loans. Then the regulations that bother me.

Desyner:
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.

Transaqua is an idea developed by Bonifica in the
1970s, to build a 2,400 km-long canal from the south-
ern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which
would intercept the right-bank tributaries of the Congo
River through dams and reservoirs, and carry up to 100
billion cubic meters of water per year, by gravity, to
Lake Chad,

Blue3k:


The comparison between private refinery and public infrastructure project odd.

Amoto94:
This project deserves more attention than it's been given so far it supposed to be on the front burner because of its immense benefits when completed.
The lives of millions of Sahelians depends on the waters from the lake and something urgent is not done we should be getting prepared for further displacement of human beings and reduction in economic activities.
FriendNG, Omenka, Fulaman198, fulanmafia,

Desyner:
Govt owns refineries and Buhari seem passionate about reviving them, why can't the govt invest and creates million of job from a raw material we already have in good quantity ?
I sense your usual I-too-know attitude.

aolawale025:

It's a good initiative though to revive it. But the funding is the challenge. Except if a body such as the world Bank would come in.

Blue3k:


Lol its not my fault you didn't think your arguments through or read through article. Anyway they already going to invest more since the refused to concession (or sell) the refineries. The government can invest and create jobs on resources we have read up some of things in mining sector see if that floats your boat.

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.

Blue3k:


Lol does your life revolve around oil pathetic back peddling. You started off saying that this was just a ploy to hypnotize minorities into voting for him. You asked if he's investing in oil and natural resources the answer was yes and you're still whining. What do you want kid?

Blue3k:


Lol does your life revolve around oil pathetic back peddling. You started off saying that this was just a ploy to hypnotize minorities into voting for him. You asked if he's investing in oil and natural resources the answer was yes and you're still whining. What do you want kid?

Desyner:
Me kid? It that what you call yo Father ?
You are obviously interest in promoting the foolish thread you started to massage your ego. Have a nice day son.

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.

Desyner:

Don't know why people don't use their brain.
We have oil in good quantity and quality already, instead of getting maximum value out of it by refining, utilizing its byproducts etc the govt choose to use scarce fund to gamble on discovery of more oil up north at first and now it is Lake Chad project all of a sudden. Anything to make the heart of the average northerner pump faster out of expectation seem the order.

Desyner:
Did you open threads asking Buhari the bold part when he chose to use scarce fund to prospect for oil in the north ?
If you are half as smart as you try potraying you won't post 95% of what you post on this forum.

Blue3k:


You obviously interesting like whining like baby. Lol wailer run off thread youve proved yourself as mental inept individual. You don't know basics of project and don't have capacity to understand. Lol its pathetic your a man that reasons worse than a grade schooler.



Stop your inane ramblings. The government already approved modular refineries and decided to dump more money into refineries it owns. Dangote already coming on board 2019. Next the funding is available through China's belt road initiative the biggest fact in this Nigeria. Don't pretend you know about prospects you thought the canals would be in NE.





What does this have to with article. Can you whine about that in an appropriate thread. Too bad we can't use your salty tears to fill up the fresh water lake.

Desyner:
Your reply sound more like poetry.
Attack the message and not the messenger Mr. man. Stop posting propagand stuff from brown envelope journalist in Nairaland reason out what you post and stop appearing like a paid poster that has run out of ideas.

Blue3k:


Lol its poetry because you don't have mental capacity to see I answered all your daft questions. I mocked you and I answered. Lol everyone involved in projet brown envelope journalist because they don't agree with you. Your logic is pathetically weak. That's why you made that daft conspiracy theory initially because your mental stunted it seems. If you actually read article instead of just wailing like child you are you would know basic facts about project.

You asked about oil refineries which has nothing to do with topic. I told you about governments plan to revitalize theirs, Dangote and modular refineries they approved.

You asked about why I do care to make thread about northern oil search. I told you I commented saying searching venue trough better. I also told you the oil could be their since other countries found oil in lake Chad Area.

To answer your question on near or medium term nobody said it was. There's not even date set for project to start. The are still doing studies and just signed MOU.

Desyner:
Oil refineries has everything to do with the topic, it is a far better alternative to the propagand projects you are spamming the forum with. Why not utilize what you have? Why sell good raw material to gamble on more of the same material (oil) ?
This is just 2019 propaganda article. It lacks substance. It is beyond the financial, technical and political scope of Nigeria talkless of Buhari they are trying to weave it around.

But the project is not immune from criticism. Some argue that claims that the lake is shrinking are exaggerated. Others argue that the plan poses serious environmental risks.

If accomplished, the Transaqua Project will change the face of Africa – for better or for worse. But like other regional or transnational projects on the continent, it may be delayed or abandoned if national politics are ignored.

Blue3k:


How daft yet again nothing but a child. 2019 propaganda article that gave both sides of issue.

Desyner:
Take that to your father.
Open your blind eyes.

Amarabae:
They keep on wasting money on that lake chad of a thing!

Blue3k:


You obviously interesting like whining like baby. Lol wailer run off thread youve proved yourself as mental inept individual. You don't know basics of project and don't have capacity to understand. Lol its pathetic your a man that reasons worse than a grade schooler.



Stop your inane ramblings. The government already approved modular refineries and decided to dump more money into refineries it owns. Dangote already coming on board 2019. Next the funding is available through China's belt road initiative the biggest fact in this Nigeria. Don't pretend you know about prospects you thought the canals would be in NE.





What does this have to with article. Can you whine about that in an appropriate thread. Too bad we can't use your salty tears to fill up the fresh water lake.



Lol I already commented on it and said it better they search for oil in Benue trough. Their could be oil in Chad basin geology speaking but it would take private sector assistance to find it in my opinion. All the other countries by basin found some already. Iol only a crybaby like you would complain about oil in lake thread

You act like government can only focus on initiative at a time. It's probably because you can't walk and chew gum.

WiLdFLame:

The Chinese silk belt road $900billions funding which is basically funding for some infrastructures development, roads,railways, maritime way channels with her neighbours, Central Asia, Pakistan,India, Kenya,Egypt,Ethiopia( dis one go be mainly railway), Djbbouti and so on.. .are you really sure Nigeria dey dre? or you mean some concessions between some Chinese private Firms with the Nigerian Government which i heard Gov Amosun talking about three days ago?...

WiLdFLame:

one things i know is basin canals/channels/ offshores resources always consume alot of money for its development with scanty or no assurance of imminent impact on the urban populace in the mainlan. Just like the Asian southeast sea that is allegedly energy rich; its just sheer presumption, nothing don comot for there safe for the militarization cleeves of china.
Rather let Buhari Administration focus Its attention towards mainland basin especially My state Ondo State Araromi coast/ ugbesin basin; which is the largest in West Africa. its more inland concentrated than this chad basin-Inter country palava. una neva even start mabilla finish, una don dey think Chad

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.
Don't know why people don't use their brain.
We have oil in good quantity and quality already, instead of getting maximum value out of it by refining, utilizing its byproducts etc the govt choose to use scarce fund to gamble on discovery of more oil up north at first and now it is Lake Chad project all of a sudden. Anything to make the heart of the average northerner pump faster out of expectation seem the order.

D5000y:
You have spoken well, bro. I like your basis of argument. You have a good point seems some things are not clear to you. Lake Chad project is a good one. Apart from looking at it from the environmental aspect, it's economically important, providing water for fisheries and livestock production to more than 68 million people living in the four countries surrounding it. The money being spent on the project is not from the coffins of Nigeria, but Germany. Germany pledged €18Million for the recharging of the Lake Chad through the diversion of rivers in the Congo Basin to empty their waters into the lake. This was announced when President Buhari met with German councilor to solicit help to resuscitate the Lake. The money released is in the custody of Nigeria who maintains and ensures policy control over its disbursement and management.
Through the development of large scale modern irrigation and drainage infrastructure using the water resources of the Lake Chad, the project is designed to significantly increase food and cash crops production in Nigeria. As you can see, as one resource is generating fund to be spent on capital projects (refinery inclusive), and other national expenditures, the other would cater for food supply and irrigation purposes so that we won't need to spend unnecessarily on that again.

Ballmer:


They should have wasted the money on Biafra so you can run away with it when it's finally granted ba ?

Blue3k:
I'm surprised this topic isn't being commented on more by nairalanders from the north. Finding a solution to this problem is necessary and it's good Buhari’s seems to have an interest in it. What do you guys think about the alternatives to Transaqua project and contrarian opinions about Lake Chad?

The government audit report speaks volumes to rampant irresponsibility that goes on we with water management. The suggestions are apt and should've been implemented yesterday. Permits enforcement, drip irrigation and streaming lining regulatory bodies.