Africa Must Act Now to Save Lake Chad – Ganduje 

Abdullahi Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for immediate measures to address the shrinking Lake Chad Basin, emphasizing the environmental and security challenges facing the region.

Speaking at the closing session of the 5th edition of the Lake Chad Basin Governors’ Forum in Maiduguri, Ganduje stressed the need for renewed efforts to tackle the crisis.

He reminded participants of the vision of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) founders—Davao Baleo of Nigeria, Ahmed Ahijo of Cameroon, Amani Diori of Niger, and Tamba Lubai of Chad—who prioritized inter-basin water transfer as a solution to the shrinking lake.

“While we focus on the security threats posed by Boko Haram and other groups, we must not forget the importance of recharging Lake Chad,” he said.

Ganduje highlighted the urgency of implementing the inter-basin water transfer project, which aims to divert water from the Mbange River in Cameroon to Lake Chad. He acknowledged that funding remained a major obstacle but insisted that the initiative was crucial for the region’s environmental sustainability.

He also proposed exploring additional water sources, including Nigeria’s River Benue, River Bongola, and River Katuna, as part of a broader strategy to restore the basin.

The APC chairman commended the efforts of stakeholders in advancing stabilization, peace-building, and sustainable development in the Lake Chad Basin.

He also expressed gratitude to international development partners, including the UNDP and the governments of Germany, the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands, for their financial support in implementing the regional stabilization strategy.

“I declare this conference closed,” Ganduje announced, as delegates departed with a renewed commitment to addressing the challenges facing the Lake Chad Basin.

(NAN)