Thus, the Water Development and Management Scheme (SAGE) of the national portion of the transboundary basin of the Mekrou River in Niger, in coherence with the SDAGE of the whole transboundary basin, and its implementation documents have been finalized and adopted by the Regional Councils of Dosso and Tillabery
The project has enabled the inventory of the number and functioning of data collection and management equipment in the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger. As a result, equipment for collecting and managing hydrological and meteorological data was acquired and installed in the area.
We also note:
- The elaboration of the basic study report on the state of water resources in the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger;
- The establishment of IWRM bodies in the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger, which led to
the setting up of seventeen (17) Water Resources Users Associations (WUAs) and three (03) Local Water Management Commissions (LWMCs) and the Council of the Mekrou sub-basin Water Agency in Niger.
This was followed by the development of the capacity building plan for these IWRM bodies with the preparation of training sessions for local stakeholders of the sub-basin on (i) IWRM and its integration in local planning tools; (ii) development and management of ecosystems in the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger.
The significant aspect affecting the daily life of the populations was the identification of integrated initiatives for the protection and development of natural resources of the SAGE of the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger to contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of the communities in the project area.
We note in this context:
- The realization (at 60%) of the integrated development works of the Tondifo and Sounga Béri ponds (Commune of Kirtachi, Department of Kollo and Region of Tillabéry), with a view to developing integrated market gardening, fishing and livestock activities;
- The completion (70%) of rehabilitation work on the Boumba market gardening area (Commune and Department of Falmey, Dosso Region);
- The acquisition, installation and commissioning of one (1) motor pump unit for the market gardening area to be rehabilitated in Boumba (Commune and Department of Falmey);
- The acquisition, installation and commissioning of pumping and drinking water distribution equipment for the multi-village mini-WTP in Bélandé (Commune and Department of Falmey), including ancillary civil engineering works, watering of animals and development of a market garden site;
- Acquisition, installation and commissioning of equipment to optimize the Autonomous Water Station (AWS) in the village of Guémé (Commune of Kirtachi, Department of Kollo), including ancillary civil engineering works, watering of animals and development of a market gardening site;
- The acquisition, installation and commissioning of pumping and drinking water distribution equipment for the PEAs in the villages of Alambaré and Séno-Konkédji (Commune of Tamou, Department of Say), including ancillary civil engineering works, watering of animals and development of a market gardening site;
- The development of action plans for the integrated management of water resources at the level of the pilot sites of the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger;
- Preparation of training workshops for local stakeholders, including women, on (i) conflict management in the Mekrou sub-basin in Niger; (ii) the establishment of tree nurseries; (iii) the manufacture and use of improved stoves;
- Communication about all project activities.
The third meeting of the Project Steering Committee held in Niamey on December 16, 2022 provided an opportunity to take stock of this progress and give guidance on the implementation of activities until the end of the project scheduled for June 30, 2023. The members of the Committee noted with satisfaction an overall completion rate of 87% and the unfailing commitment of the various actors to make the implementation of "this project a model" in terms of achieving the objectives and impacts on the lives of the population as desired by the program officer of the EU Delegation in Niamey, Mr. Marcello ROCCA.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation of Niger, Mr. Maman Moussa and the Executive Secretary of GWP-WA, Mr. Armand Houanye all thanked the participants for their support.
The Committee therefore recommended, among other things, that the possibility of further funding be studied and given to this project at EU level and that alternative sources of funding be explored.
