In continuation of the implementation of the Performance Improvement Action Plan (PIAP) and the PDO for Q4, Imo State Water Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC) yesterday welcomed a delegation from the National Water Resources Institute on a technical visit at the Corporation. The visit, which first took place at ISWSC Conference Hall before the delegation met the Managing Director and CEO of the Corporation in his office, aimed at bolstering efforts to combat climate change and enhance integrated water resources development in the Niger Basin.

Led by Dr. M. O. Eduvie, the team emphasized the critical role of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) in managing and developing natural resources in West and Central Africa. He said that the Niger Basin facing numerous challenges, including aridity, reduced water flow, land pressure, climate change, and recurrent droughts. These factors have contributed to resource degradation and poor living conditions in the region.

To address these pressing challenges, he noted that the NBA, with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), launched the Program for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB) in 2018. Notably, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), through the National Project Implementation Unit (NPIU), played a pivotal role in implementing the PIDACC.

The National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) then signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the NPCU to oversee the component of the project titled “Support to Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Operationalization in Sokoto-Rima, Upper Benue, Upper Niger, Anambra-Imo River Basins.”

Dr. Eduvie of NWRI and the delegation expressed their intent to collaborate with ISWSC. Their approach involves working in phases, encompassing data collection, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, development of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) strategies, climate action planning, and capacity building.

*The Managing Director and CEO of ISWSC, Engr Emeka Celestine Ugoanyanwu, welcomed the collaboration and reaffirmed ISWSC’s commitment to addressing climate challenges in the Niger Basin. The partnership signifies a significant step towards enhancing water resources management and mitigating the impact of climate change in the region.

Earlier, Engr Henry Adiruo, Head of Water Services of the Corporation, expressed that ISWSC is ready to support NWRI on their mission, which they said would last between 31 October and 3 November, this year.

Christopher Ononukwe
Communications Desk Officer