The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources has signed an agreement with some Chinese consortia on Master Plan for Training and Flood Control in the River Niger.
Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, and Mr. Endre Deri and Mr. Ferenc Viragh, representatives of the CRBE Consortium, signed on behalf of the Corporation.
The partnership is currently in the first phase of its goal to build a sustainable economy for Nigerians.
They are China Water Resources Pearl River Planning, Surveying, and Designing Company Limited and the CRBE Consortium of China Railway Beijing Engineering Group Company Ltd.
Adamu stated that the main objectives of the technical agreement include, retraining and utilizing the waters within Nigeria in the tributaries and the two main Rivers, controlling extreme floods, erosion, and sediment transportation.
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“Others are enhanced complex flood protection by Green and Complex Reservoirs Leeves, Flood Detention Reservoirs, retaining and releasing the detained floods as and when necessary for navigation.
“It also includes developing inland water transport by river training measures including maintenance dredging, building an integral flood monitoring system and protecting the natural landscape and habitat.”
On financing the project, the minister reiterated that serious discussions were ongoing on how to source for a loan.
He reiterated that the devastating flood incident of the year 2022 necessitated the project partnership and timely so as to mitigate the flood incidents that led to the loss of lives and properties.
According to Adamu, President Muhammadu Buhari, through his ministry, had laid a workable foundation for the successful take-off of the project.
He, however, urged the incoming administration to leverage on the good work that had been done.
Story adapted from VON
