From November 4 to 7, 2024, stakeholders committed to preserving the cross-border ecosystems of the Mont Mandara Natural Complex are gathering in Abuja for a pivotal workshop aimed at establishing a regional collaboration platform. This event is part of the NB-ITTAS project, an initiative spanning 11 countries dedicated to enhancing the management and governance of water resources in the Niger Basin.
The objective of this regional workshop is to operationalize the regional platform for managing the cross-border ecosystem of the Mont Mandara Natural Complex and to build the necessary capacity for sustainable practices. This gathering is one of many NB-ITTAS project efforts aimed at strengthening integrated management of shared resources. The ultimate goal is to build a strong, adaptable structure of cooperation that actively involves local communities and authorities from both countries to safeguard these ecosystems for future generations.
According to NB-ITTAS Regional Coordinator Tchokponhoue Allomassou, this training has become essential to equip stakeholders with the skills necessary for effective integrated water resource management.
On behalf of the federal government, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, expressed a call to action during the Abuja workshop. He urged countries around Mont Mandara and Sena Oura to leverage the full potential of the region’s cross-border ecosystems for the benefit of their citizens.
Represented by Adeyinka Adenopo, the Director of Water Resources Planning and Technical Support Services, the minister emphasized the need for participating countries to prioritize water management, resource control, and climate resilience.
The cross-border ecosystems of the Mont Mandara Plateau and the Sena Oura/Bouba Ndjida national parks, spanning areas in Cameroon and Chad, are ecologically rich and home to a diverse array of wildlife.
