The objective of the workshop was to present and review the support project document with a view to (i) sourcing partner's inputs and comments into the final project document; (ii) identifying potential areas of contribution from partners (technical/financial) in the delivery of the PIDA support Project at the country and regional level; and (ii) the utilization of Regional Integration, Infrastructure and Trade Program (RIITP) instruments to support RECs, Basin Authorities and Member States to advance and prepare bankable PIDA Water Infrastructure Projects.
This initiative is very important for West Africa region since there are three (3) transboundary water projects in the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa’s-Priority Action Plan (PIDA-PAP) relevant for West Africa region. They are (i) the “Noumbiel Multipurpose dam with hydropower generation component” in the Volta Basin benefitting directly 2 countries, Burkina Faso & Ghana(ii) the Fomi Dam Hydropower station in Guinea with irrigation water supply for Mali and regulation of the Niger River in the Niger Basin benefitting Guinea and Mali and (iii) the Iullemeden Aquifer System: Pre-feasibility studies for the improved use of the aquifer system; North-West Sahara Aquifer System; Lullemeden and Taoudeni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System both in the Volta and Niger basins benefitting directly five countries Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Chad (in Central Africa).
The main recommendations from the workshop for West Africa include disseminating and sharing widely in West Africa region the outcomes of Botswana Technical Task Team Workshop on the setting up of the NEPAD PIDA Water Project.
Under the leadership of ECOWAS-WRCC, collaboration should be enhanced with NEPAD-PCA, GWP and partners to operationalize the NEPAD PIDA Water Project in West Africa by the end of 2018 and start its effective implementation in 2019.
Participants set themselves the task to organize a regional workshop on NEPAD, NEPAD-PCA, GWP and partners to inform, sensitize and provide data to information on transboundary water projects and their status across Africa regions.
The workshop had the effective attendance of representatives from African Union Commission (AUC), NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA), African Regional Economic Communities, River Basin Organizations, Partners including JICA, Giz and GWP Regional Offices in Africa including GWP-WA represented by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Armand HOUANYE.
