Envoy calls for joint River Nile management

By John Agaba

THE French Ambassador to Uganda, Sophie Makame, has called for “diligent protocols” and greater cooperation in the management of River Nile.

The envoy, who was presiding over a grants signing ceremony at the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) offices in Entebbe on Wednesday, highlighted a need for joint management of the Nile to maintain its normal flow and catchment area, and to maintain the social, economic, and security benefits from the river.

She said, with climate change and rapid population growth, the Nile River has new challenges, including a growing demand in agricultural water and hydroelectric energy.

“In order to respond to rising challenges and demands there is a need for greater cooperation and enhanced capacities in the field of water resource management.”

“The realization of the economic potential of the basin requires a joint resource management of land and water between the countries,” said the envoy.

The River Nile benefits over 230 million people in the 11 African countries surrounding it. It aids irrigation in the countries. Waters from the river are extensively used to generate electricity.

There are other investments. NBI executive director, John Rao Nyaoro, said investment projects worth over $6b have been prepared in the basin — of these, projects worth $1.3b are under implementation.

But the River needs a stronger, cooperative, and joint management (between the 11 member states) to fully exploit its potential, without compromising environmental standards, according to Makame.

The Nile still faces a threat of water hyacinth. And there are reported cases of siltation. But, with Egypt seemingly the only country (among the 11) allocating the most funds towards its conservation, there are still hurdles to jump.

During the ceremony, the French government, through its development agency AFD, donated 1m euros to the NBI for resources development in the basin.

The grant will be used in strengthening member states capacities in identification, preparation and implementation of development projects in the Nile Basin, explained the AFD regional director, Yves Boudot.

But, a lot is still desired.

Makame reiterated France’s commitment in regard to climate change mitigation.

“The cost of climate change is already huge, especially for Africa. Floods, droughts, starvation, conflicts will increase if we don’t succeed in agreeing collectively to more sustainable development strategies,” she said.