Two mini workshops to launch the Mekrou Project Phase 2 were organized on 12 and 13 November 2020 in the regions (Tillabéry and Dosso) were the project activities will be implemented to mobilize the commitment of local actors.
The GWP team met on Tuesday 10 November the Minister of Environment, Urban Health and Sustainable Development, Mr. Almoustapha Garba, assisted by the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry, the Director of Cabinet of the Minister and the Deputy Director of Protected Areas. This was an opportunity to introduce the Mekrou Project and request the support of the Minister and his department for the success of phase 2 of the project in Niger.
The Minister of the Environment, Urban Sanitation and Sustainable Development 
noted the satisfaction of his ministerial department with the Mekrou Phase 1 project results. He wished to see Phase 2 take into account the crucial issue of conflicts caused by the descent of giraffes due to the lack of space on the crops. The MES/DD have the planning documents and projects in the area, the Minister asked his collaborators to see how to develop a synergy of action with the Mekrou 2 project. This is why a meeting was organized with the deputy Secretary General on 11 November 2020 to discuss project that can be jointly developed including, among others the development plan and management of the dosso reserve and the status of water resources in the project area.
The mission had an audience with the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Mr Ali Gonki assisted by the Secretary General of the Ministry. The Minister reaffirmed all his support and that of his ministerial department to GWP-WA and the Mekrou project, he finally urged to devote a significant part of the investments to the populations of the project target zone. The Minister especially insisted on taking into account the (important) livestock in the dimensioning of the watering works.
The GWP-WA delegation also met with the Niger Basin Authority water observatory Director, Mr. Didier ZINSOU and the first Secretary of the Embassy of The Netherlands, Mr. George Decoyer assisted by his colleage, Mr Abdou Seyni to discuss possible synergy development with both partners.
