LCBC Achievements 1988-2000

LAKE CHAD BASIN COMMISSION
ACHIEVEMENT 1988 - 2000

By ABUBAKAR B. JAURO
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
LCBC
NDJEMANA: MAY 2000
Achievements 1988 2000 INTRODUCTION I. II. RESTRUCTURING OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT OF THE LCBC
Ndjemana: 2000
SECURITY AND BORDER DEMARCATION IN THE LAKE CHAD 1988 1990 A. Security 1. By Member States 2. By the Joint Patrol Teams 3. By the Executive Secretariat of LCBC. B. Border Demarcation Exercise III. PROJECTS EXECUTED A. B. C. D. THE SCHEME FOR A MASTER PLAN RECONNAISSANCE STUDY THE DIAGNOSTIC STUDY THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE CONVENTIONAL BASIN OF THE LAKE CHAD DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM PROJET (DSS) PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES OF THE LAKE CHADRAF/88/029 MONITORING AND MANAGENMENT OF GROUND WATER RESOURCES IN THE LAKE CHAD BASIN 1. Principal remarks on groundwater resources in the Lake Chad Basin and recommended action 2. Identification of gaps in knowledge STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN HYDRODYNAMIC MODEL 1. Expected output of the Study 2. Model Development LIVESTOCK ATLAS OF THE LAKE CHAD BASIN NGALA TRAINING SCHOOL
E. F. G.
H. I.
J. K. IV.
PROJECTS UNDER IMPLEMENTATION A. CHARI/LOGONE INTEGRATED PROJECT 1. Socio-Economic Study 2. Market Research 3. Technical Studies B. LCBC/GEF Project on Reversal of Land and Water Degradation Trends in the Lake Chad Basin Ecosystem C. FISHERIES 1. Djimtillo Regional Fisheries Center 2. Sustainable development of continental fisheries: a regional study of policy options and policy information mechanism for the Lake Chad basin D. LIVESTOCK 1. Regional project for conservation and development of an endangered bovine breed: The Kuri cattle 2. Farcha Laboratory Project E. LCBC/ADB PROJECT: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) F. CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE LAKE CHAD
CONCLUSION
INTRODUCTION If one looks back fro m 1988 to date, one could r ight ly say that the first major achievement of the Commissio n has been the restoration of confidence of its major supporters i.e. the UN agencies and major donors like the GEF, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and indeed the African Development Bank.
However, of paramount importance is the zeal and the desire of the member countries to sustain the Organization. The member countries cherish the LCBC so much so that in spite of the economic hardships experienced by all the countries over the years, they managed to support t he Commissio n up to date. Of course, there were periods of real hardship faced by the Organization, yet we managed to scale through. Thanks to the understanding and the full appreciation of the Heads of State and the Honorable Ministers even in those trying period we felt encouraged and spurred to further efforts.
I.
RESTRUCTURINGOFTHEEXECUTIVESECRETARIATOFTHELCBC
The 35th Sessio n of the Council o f Ministers of the LCBC held in Ndjamena, 1987, instructed the Executive Secretary to request the assistance of International Organizat ions such as the UNDP or FAO, to study the re-structuring of the LCBC as regards three main issues:
The re-definit io n of the LCBC objectives; The re-structuring of the Executive Secretariat; The revisio n of the quota system for the Member States contribut ions to the budget of the Commissio n; Contribut ions to the Development and the Operation Budgets of the Secretariat.
The UNDP Consultants carried out the exercise between June 7th and July 16th 1988.The missio n was able to analyze technical documents available at the Secretariat, visit Projects and discussed with Senior Officers of the Execut ive-Secretariat. It also visited member states to seek their views on the exercise.
A report was prepared giving the background of the LCBC and its achievements, the design of its future program in the spirit of the proposed re-structuring and a suggest ion on the new contribution formula.
The report maintained that studying the convent ion and the statute revealed that the reorientation of the activit ies of the LCBC which in fact started in 1985 and the views of the member countries did not question the goals and assignments contained in the basic agreement.
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Achievements 1988 2000
It was in fact the creat ion of the Development Fund and the efforts to facilitate LCBC direct intervent ion in the member countries to address the drought and food-security problems that led to its addit ional function. Hence the essent ial idea of re-structuring is equivalent to a return to the original object ives of the Co mmissio n. Activit ies of regio nal nature should be given priorit y and emphasis be placed on the inventory and the planning of Water Resources of the basin taking into account that tapping of other resources would depend on it.
The missio n therefore concluded that it was not necessary to redefine it object ives rather the missio n re-confirmed the objectives and original assignments and patterned the action program and the structure of the LCBC on that.
In the spirit of this efforts, it was recommended that all the pro jects, most of which were o f nat ional nature be transferred to the countries concerned alo ng with their assets and liabilit ies.
On the issue of the new structure of the Secretariat, the mission took into account the low leve l of activit ies o f the Co mmissio n at the time and the fact the Secretariat had just returned to its Headquarters in Ndjamena and was busy trying to restore confidence o f donors. The report recommended minimum requirements of personnel on the fo llowing pr inciples:
1) The necessit y o f adapting the Secretariat to its new tasks, centered on: a. The inventory of Water Resources of the basin, the collect ion and analysis and processing o f basic data and the planning and fo llow-up of development activit ies; b. The execut ion o f projects of exclusive regional nature and the pro motion o f development projects of nat ional nature. 2) The need to start with a light staff structure which could be strengthened gradually wit h projects as they co me; 3) The simplicit y of internal hierarchy; it recommended the suppressing of some departments and posts. It finally reco mmended the fo llowing Depart ments: i. Executive Secretary ii. Financial Controller iii. Administration and Finance iv. Planning and project Execution v. Documentation, Informat ion and High Technology The report also emphasized co-operation and constant contact with donors and technical support agencies and intergovernmental Organizat ions.
At the 37th sessio n, a report was submitted, discussed and accepted by the co mmission except for those concerning the review of the allocat ion formula on contributions. They also asked for further clarification on the proposed structure of the Execut ive Secretariat. The 38th Sessio n held in Yaounde considered these two major issues.
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abubakarjauro@yahoo.co.uk
The new structure was discussed and a three Departmental structure was accepted. However, the issue of eit her retaining or excluding the post of the Assistant Executive Secretary could not be concluded; first for its polit ical implications and secondly for the financial implicat ions.
In t he init ial report submitted by UNDP to the Commission in May 1989, they reco mmended the transfer of all nat ional pro jects to the member countries and the adoption of a one-line budget system for LCBC. On the basis of the analysis of expenses charged to t he development fund, the missio n est imated that 100 millio n F. CFA, i.e. 20% of 1988 allocat ion be regarded as the total future expenses to be charged to the development fund. In all, the scaling down of t he budgets as result of restructuring would amount to 50% of both budgets, i.e. 500 million F. CFA per year. The development fund should finance mainly the projects of regional nature, such as the counterpart of regional pro jects financed by external assistance, studies, activit ies and short-term missio ns to facilit ies access to data for LCBC and member countries and the part icipation o f LCBC in emergency operations. This new budgetary co mponent in the aggregated form could be termed (participat ion of LCBC in development actions).
On the basis of this they reco mmended one formula for contribut ion (1 st option). The basic criteria used to assess the respect ive contribut ions were their proportionalit y to the Gross National Product (GNP) generated by agriculture, in the respect ive Nat ional Areas of the Conventional Basin. After reviewing that proposal the Co mmissio n felt that other economic indicators should also be examined for a more comprehensive submissio n. This was done. It led to the use of more complete and recent data. These included population, areas, Gross Nat ional Product, production structure, agriculture, etc.
Subsequently, the who le issue was referred to the 7th Summit of the Heads of State at Yaounde 1990. The Summit recalled that, at its Sixth meeting at Ndjamena in 1987, the Heads of State had directed that the contribut ion Formula of the Co mmissio n be reviewed. This exercise was carried out joint ly wit h the restructuring exercise of the Executive Secretariat by the UNDP.
Having considered the details and basis o f the proposal, the Commissio ners request the summit to approve any of the fo llowing formula:
1stOpt ion:
The allocation formula is based on the socio-econo mic indicators supplied in 1986 and on the principle of equal contribut ions by Chad and Niger. The basic criteria for determining the respective contributions was on the rat io of the Gross National Product (GNP) generated by agriculture in the respective nat ional territories in the convent ional Basin:
Chad Niger Cameroon Nigeria
: : : :
15% 15% 25% 45%

2ndOpt ion:
The criteria for the rat io of the GNP are retained because it reflects the social and econo mic growth of the four states. But this time, studies have been effected on the basis o f more complete and recent data. The basic data used were: populatio n, areas, Gross National Product, production Structure, agriculture and feeding, official development assistance and total external debt:
: : : :
12.3% 4.5% 29.2% 54.9%
3rdOption:
The missio n went into details in its study by using the fo llowing basic data: working populat ion in the Conventional Basin, the Gross National Product per inhabitant, the GNP generated by agriculture:
: : : :
9.2% 5.3% 26.5% 59.0%
4thOption:
The average of the three proposals rounded o ff as follows:
: : : :
12% 8% 27% 53%
Having considered the details o f the re-structuring and t he po lit ical and financial implications of the post of the Assistant Executive Secretary;
Considering the necessit y for rational distribution of the adopted posts at the Executive Secretariat, the Heads of States approved the new structure with three (3) independent Departments. They also retained the post of the Assistant Executive Secretary and shared the posts among the member countries as fo llows:
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Ndjamena:
Post 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Country Execut ive Secretary Nigeria Assistant Executive Secretary Cameroon Department of P lanning and Project Execution Niger Department of Administration and Finance Chad Department of Documentation , Information, Remote-Sensing Cameroon and Advanced Techno logies Financial Controller Nigeria NewContributionFormulatotheLCBCBudget
Having considered the details and basis o f the proposal presented by the Commissio ners, the Heads of State adopted the average o f the three proposals rounded off as fo llows as the new formula for the Commissio n:
Cameroon Niger Nigeria Chad
: : : :
27% 8% 53% 12%
ArrearsofContribut ionstoLCBC
Considering the huge accumulated arrears to the Commissio n by the member countries;
Conscious of the economic crisis prevailing in all the member countries; Considering t he necessit y to restore the image of the LCBC;
th th Considering the decisio ns of the 37 and 38 Sessio ns to transfer all national projects to member states and t he necessit y to complete those projects
The Heads of State decided: i. To approve the use of the arrears of contributions by each member countries to complete the national pro jects transferred to it and pay the ent it lements of the staff affected by the re-structuring exercise. To pay annual contribut ions regularly in accordance with the provisions of LCBC convent ion to avoid creat ing bad image for the organizat ion in future.
ii.
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II. SECURITY ANDBORDERDEMARCATIONINTHE LAKECHAD19881990
At an extra-ordinary session of the Co mmissio n in July 1983, jo int ly convened by Nigeria and Chad in Lagos, a polit ical mandate was given to the LCBC to handle the issue of securit y in the Lake Chad area. This was a result of a war that broke out between the two countries in the same year. It was also in conformit y wit h the role of the commissio n in conflict resolut ion.
Two committees were set up to handle the situation. One was on Securit y and the other on survey and Demarcat ion. As an immediate action, the Securit y Committee recommended the demilitarization of the area and the establishment of Joint Patrol Teams to ensure securit y in the region. This was done and securit y ensured.
A. Securit y
A high powered Security Committee was set up to handle the issue. The zone was quickly demilitarized and a base established in each country for the Joint Patrol Teams. Fo llowing field reports, measures to improve the operations o f the Joint Patrol Teams were introduced by sharing o f responsibilit ies as follows:
1. ByMemberStates i. Strict adherence by Member States to the various convent ions and approved recommendations, ii. An improvement of the teams logist ics part icularly wit h regards to transport, communication, feeding and maintenance of equipment; iii. Regular field visits by high government officials fro m Member States in order to encourage the patrol teams and make them more alive to their responsibilit ies; iv. Urgent establishment of the Niger based patrol team; v. Adequate sensit izat ion of the peoples living in the area to the importance of peace and securit y so as to benefit fro m their full co-operation and thus obtain their willingness to refer possible cases of lit igat ion to the patrol team leader operating in their area. These local authorities and patrol team leaders should jo int ly visit all spots of contentio n to find or propose solut ions to the dispute; vi. As far as possible, men speaking the local languages in addit io n to English and French should be deplo yed; vii. Strict prohibit io n of military incursion to the patrol zone since the zone had been demilitarized; viii. Patrol team personnel should observe the central point as agreed.
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2. BytheJo intPatrolTeams i. To seek better co-operation between the patrol team leaders by regular meet ings on rotational basis; ii. To ensure that members of the patrol team are always in contact with their base; iii. To review when necessary the time-table of the operations of the patrol teams to ensure effect ive patrol in the area; iv. Members of the jo int patrol team should be made aware of the importance o f discipline and that the patrol team leaders should assume their full responsibilit ies in accordance with the November, 1984 accord; v. To send copies of the reports of their activit ies to the Executive Secretariat of LCBC.
3. BytheExecut iveSecretariatofLCBC i. That the Executive Secretariat should ensure better monitoring o f the activit ies of the mixed patrol teams; ii. That the Executive Secretariat should attend all the meet ings of patrol team leaders; iii. That the Executive Secretariat should prepare a summary report to be sent to Member States and convene, when necessary, meetings o f the sub-co mmittee on Securit y; iv. That the LCBC should provide securit y-proof armbands and LCBC vehicle stickers for the patrol teams.
These were strict ly adhered to and the securit y in the zone assured up to the end of the border demarcat ion exercises in the lake.
Niger and Cameroon pulled out immediately thereafter while Chad and Nigeria cont inued to ensure the securit y of the area unt il in 1997 when Niger rejo ined. To date, securit y in the area is being maintained by these countries.
B. BorderDemarcationExercise
The Survey and Demarcat ion Co mmittee came up with a strong recommendation for physical demarcat ion of the internat ional border in the Lake estimated to cost 312,884,000 FCFA.
By decisio n on 28th and 29th October 1987 the summit approved the demarcat ion exercise in the Lake. They also agreed to contribute equally, the sum o f 312,884,000 FCFA required for the job.
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Through a compet it ive Tender, IGN-France Internat ional (IGN-FI) won the contract for the demarcat ion of the boundaries between the territories o f Cameroon, Niger, Nigeria and Chad in Lake Chad. Each country appo inted two survey experts to a committee of nat ional experts to supervise the job.
The scope of the operation consisted of establishing on the ground, the international boundaries as described in the agreements, treaties, and exchange of notes, convent ions and the maps made available for the job.
The boundaries were defined on straight lines between the major points which were themselves mo numented and connected to one another by intermediate beacons established approximately every 5 km. Seven major beacons were to be established and sixt y-eight intermediate beacons to be put in a straight line.
Fro m 13th June 1989 to 12th February 1990, the work was carried out by IGN under the supervisio n of t he nat ional experts. It was a very difficult job. The fieldwork was tedious, the supervisio n and reviews of the technical work was meticulous and po lit ically sensit ive. By February 1990, the national experts accepted and signed the final technica l report. They also recommended same for the approval by their respect ive Governments. To date, this report is still under consideration for ratification by the countries in accordance wit h their national laws after having been accepted by the 1994 Summit at Abuja, Nigeria.
One is however pleased to note that by using the forum o f its regional inst itution, the LCBC, member countries have been able to resolve a serious conflict situation amicably polit ical considerat ion for the ratificat ion of the report notwithstanding.
III.
PROJECTSEXECUTED
All the depart ments of the co mmission worked satisfactorily during the period under review. The project executed and those being implemented currently are all by the depart ments. The summaries of the achievements are therefore presented as fo llow:
A. THESCHEMEFORAMASTERPLAN At its summit o f 1987, a report was presented to the heads o f state of the Lake Chad basin co mmissio n. The report maintained that since the 1970s the Basin had witnessed a pro longed drought with increasing severit y. The droughts of 1970s and 1980s were said to be the worst in the basins history with as low as 30% o f normal rainfall recorded in some stations. The lake area had reduced fro m 25,000 sq. km to less than 2000 sq. km. This situat ion led to the summit declaring the Lake Chad Basin a disaster area. Consequent ly the Heads of states directed the commissio n to convene the meeting of their respect ive Ministers of Environment to address the issue.
At the first conference of the Ministers of the Environment in April 1988, the experts report submitted observed that the analysis o f the situat ion showed that the principle means of the livelihood of the people are agriculture, herding and fishing. These activit ies were said to have been, adversely affected as a result of drought. In 1973 new abso lute minimum ra infall was recorded in the basin. Human factors were also said to be contributory to the deterioration. It was suggested that the fo llowing steps be taken:i. The preparat ion of a plan for the use of the water resources of the basin particularly the respect of the water quotas allotted to the various users; ii. The constitution of a coordinat ing sub-co mmittee to promote the implementation of projects; iii. The transfer of water fro m wet basins. This refers to a long-term transfer of some o f the waters of River Zaires basin to the Lake Chad Basin.
B. RECONNAISSANCESTUDY
This study was to be undertaken by UNEP fo llowing the decisio n of the first Conference of Ministers of Environment, April 1988. The objective of the study was to outline measures which would enable the LCBC to carry out an integrated development of the basin, bearing it s relationship with the neighboring Upper Benue and Ubangui basins in order to halt the drying up of the Lake and use its waters and ecosystems rat ionally.
The consultant was to: i. ii. Conduct a feasibilit y study on the in-flow and water balance control options for the Lake Chad basin. Prepare a draft management scheme on the Act ion Program for Environmentally Sound Management of the Natural Resources of the lake Chad Basin. The study also aimed at facilitat ing the preparation of a Master Plan. Provide inventory of all exist ing pro jects (ongoing and planned) in the study area. Determine the co mplementary studies, the terms of reference, the duration and the cost of the preparation of the Master Plan. In November 1988 a report was submitted by UNEP. The document gave a synopsis of climate, hydro logy, hydrogeology, and general informat ion on the basin. It also presented some water balance control options, including conservation and inter-basin water transfer. A draft management scheme with short, medium and long term objectives was also included.
iii. iv.
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After due considerat ion of the report, instead of going straight to the Master Plan, it was decided that the study be limited init ially to a diagnostic study. Such study should take into account all other available studies to avoid duplicat ion o f efforts. A diagnostic study on degradation of the environment be prepared within 14 mo nths. The cost was estimated at US$100,000.00.
C. THEDIAGNOSTICSTUDY
Alo ng wit h UNEP and representatives of all LCBC member countries, the Diagnostic Study was undertaken by a group of five specialist consultants. The diagnostic studies of Environmental Degradation gave a synopsis of environmental (ill healt h) such as erosion o f formally productive lands, overuse, ground water, loss of biodiversit y and forced migration of people during famine and drought. The report attempted to pinpo int the causes of degradat ion of the soils, water, air, plants and animal life wit hin the convent ional basin.
The report was in four parts. Part I dealt with geological, water and human resources of the basin. Part 2 divided the convent ional basin into eight zones called the diagnostic basins. Part 3 dealt with over all diagnosis wit h regards to conservation and development. Finally a summary o f reco mmendations was included.
In November 1989, a report was submitted to the Ministers of Environment with the fo llowing recommendations:
1. To develop a medium to a long-term information system for planning and decisio n-making by setting up environmental monitoring facilit ies and services. This should enable, inter alia, the establishment of an early warning system for water and enviro nmental management. 2. Undertake studies as ident ified in the Diagnostic Report. 3. To include lo ng-term environmental impact assessment studies into all major projects in the basin area. 4. To review all major ongoing and co mpleted water resources projects with a view to ascertain their enviro nmental impact as well as derive management and organizational lessons for the future. 5. To promote mult ipurpose and integrated projects. 6. To harmonize econo mic and eco logical considerations in the design, financing and operation of development projects on the basis o f generally acceptable guidelines. 7. To implement effectively the jo int Regulat ions on Fauna and Flora which were ratified by the Member States.
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8. The member states that have not done so should accede to the various internat ional conventions and participate in inter-governmental programs which were:o International convent ional on the Commerce on Endangered Species (CITIES); o International convent ion on the Protection of Humid Zones (RAMSAR); o Man and Biosphere (MAS); o International Unio n for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN); o International Geosphere and Biosphere Program (IGBP); o International Hydro logy Program (IHP); o World Wildlife Fund (WWF); o African convent ion (the Algiers convent ion of 1970) for the conservation of nature and its resources. o Facilitate the enact ment and harmonizat ion of the various national codes particularly on Water, Forestry Animal husbandry Mining Fishery 9. To undertake studies on the fauna and flora in the convent ional basin for knowledge, protection and conservation purposes.
10. To formulate policies aimed at facilitat ing the management of natural resources (water, soils, forest, renewable energy, etc) at grassroots.
11. To fund and rehabilitate the fisheries sector in the Lake Chad basin through informat ion and mo nitoring system and appropriate development projects.
12. To ensure effect ive control of surface water resources with a view to a better management of ground water resources.
To carry out detailed invest igat ion into ground water resources and the recharge potential in the basin area.
To undertake studies that will increase the availabilit y o f surface water resources
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13. To undertake a study for the creation of an international park in the convent ional basin using exist ing parks, namely Waza, Mandelia, Dougia, Kalamaloue, Yankari and Chaigurma
14. To integrate the teaching o f the environment into educational systems as an instrument for training, informing and sensit ing the people to improve and preserve natural resources.
15. To develop strategies implementation of the transport (all weather roads, railways, air and river transport) and teleco mmunicat ion microwave and satellite co mmunications) programs in order to open up the Lake Chad basin area.
16. Develop food securit y preparedness scheme for that would combine irr igated agriculture, food storage at all levels and the mobilization of nat ional funds for supplementary invest ment in case of crops failures.
17. Promote food processing, preservat ion and storage as means of increasing food security.
Finally it reco mmended that the ministers of environment take note of the document on the diagnostic study and empower the execut ive secretariat to pursue and take further actions towards the preparat ions o f the master plan for the environmentally sound management of the natural resources o f the basin, taking into account the above recommendat ions
D. THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATURAL RESOURCESOFTHECONVENTIONALBASINOFTHELAKECHAD
AND
UNEP, UNSO, National Experts, the LCBC Secretariat and Consultants undertook the preparation of the master plan. Two meetings were held at Paris and Geneva in March and August 1990 respectively to prepare the draft Master Plan. The Paris meet ing drew up the terms of reference taking into account the 14th reco mmendat ions adopted at the Yaounde meeting on the diagnostic study. The Geneva meet ing finalized the draft plan, which was submitted in September 1990. The object ives of the master plan were as fo llows:
Increase the availabilit y of water resources, promote rational utilizat ion o f water resources, prevent degradation of water qualit y, improve or establish laws for rat ional ut ilization and equitable sharing of water resources; re-evaluat ion and modification of
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operational rules for large water projects, in consideration of their adverse enviro nmental and socio-economic impacts; Prevent soil erosion, improve soil fert ilit y, infiltration and waterho lding capacit y; Maintain and improve vegetation cover and reconst itute value o f pasture land; balance regenerat ion of bio mass and off take; establish sustained yield management of hardwoods; Work towards a reliable famine prevent ion and food securit y program (including fishery) so that natural resources can be protected even dur ing hard droughts or other natural disasters; Maintain and improve the protection o f bio logical diversit y; co llect disappearing cult ivars for farmers and agro forestry; protect unique ecosystem and species of special concern; Integrate the teaching of environmental educat ion into schools, mass media, training and extensio n programs.
In November 1990 when the report was being considered, it was stressed that it should be co mpleted before the end o f that year. Furthermore, it was observed that the aspects of food production and food security were equally important and should be included in the plan. The Execut ive Secretary was requested to meet FAO to assist in drawing up a management scheme for sustainable agricultura l development program for the basin to be incorporated in the plan.
This request was made and the FAO and their consultants visited the commissio n in July 1991 and a successful workshop was organized wit h full part icipat ion of UNEP, UNDP, LCBC and experts of the member countries. An Act ion Program was produced.
At the fift h conference of Ministers of Environment held at Niamey in Januar y 1992, the Master Plan document and t he scheme were presented for approval. The Ministers approved the Master Plan and the Act ion Program for the development and management of water resources for sustainable agricultural development of the basin. The ministers thereupon mandated the execut ive secretary to liaise with UNEP, UNESCO, ECA, UNSO and the nat ional experts to harmonize the documents.
At its sixth meet ing held in Maiduguri, Nigeria in 1993, the harmonized document of the Master Plan was presented and it was adopted accordingly. This document contained thirt y-six (36) projects in order of priority with the fo llowing salient components:
1. Environmental considerat ion 2. Socio-economic 3. Agricultural and

4. Capacit y building
The Master Plan on the Enviro nmentally Sound Management and Development of the Natural Resources of the Convent ional Basin was rat ified at the 8th summit of the Heads of State in March 1994 in Abuja, Nigeria.
E. DECISIONSUPPORTSYSTEMPROJET(DSS)
This pro ject was meant to support the implementation of the Master Plan of the commissio n. It was funded by UNEP to the tune o f US$112,000 with LCBC contribution o f US$33,000 totaling US$145 000
The object ives of the project were: 1. To provide the operational tools in the form of the a decisio n support system (DSS) for: a) The evaluation of new projects in the planning and design stage and re-evaluation of exist ing and part ially co mpleted projects; b) The co mparison o f alternat ive and scenarios for water related projects; 2. Apply these tools for a system analysis in the preparations of donors conference in order to ensure the mobilizat ion of funds for implementation of the priorit y projects of the Master Plan.
Expected outputs were:
i. ii. A DSS to be used by decisio n makers at national and regio nal levels to enhance the sustainable development of the basin; Donors meeting with financial pledges.
The terms of re ference included among the others hydro logical and hydraulic general data collection and analysis. These included water and natural resources data policy variables.
Wit h full participant of the member countries and the executive secretariats, software of decisio n support system (DSS) was developed. Five criteria were used to prioritize projects.
For the execution o f the pro ject five desktop and five laptop computers were provided for use by the countries and t he execut ive secretariat.
Donors` conference was, however not organized because the planning co mmittee had decided on first preparing a St rategic Act ion Plan. S ince the amount available was not sufficient.
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F. PLANNINGANDMANAGEMENTOFWATERRESOURCESOFTHELAKE CHAD-RAF/88/029
This project was financed by UNDP for 3 years at a total cost of US$ 2,183,926 and a counterpart contribut ion by the LCBC of 136,571,000 FCFA. It started in 1990 and ended in 1993.
The object ives of the project were; 1. To assist the LCBC in the evaluat ion of water resources potential of the Lake Chad Basin and develop the capacit y of its staff. 2. Collect ion, collat ion and analysis o f the basic data necessary to prepare the evaluat ion of resources potential o f the basin and to prepare alternative water resources development options and the establishment of data base and management system. 3. Develop a mathematical model for simulat ion of hydraulic regime of main tributaries o f the Lake Chad, including the unsteady-flow simulat ion down steam of Lai and over the flooded areas. 4. Formulate alternat ive strategies for water resources development which would to the extent possible, gradually restore the lake levels and sat isfy the mult i-purpose water requirement of the LCBC countries in an equitable manner and under an enviro nmentally sound approach. 5. Evaluate the ecological consequence o f the various development strategies and propose solut ion 6. Strengthen the documentation center of the Commission to ensure the collection and diffusio n of data and informat ion. The objectives were fully achieved by the end of the pro ject to the satisfact ion of all those concerned. The most excit ing aspect of the project was the willingness o f countries of t he LCBC to actively part icipate in the execut ion o f the project. They not only pro mpt ly met their contribut ions but also agreed to the request by the UNDP towards the end of the pro ject to contribute 50% of the addit ional fund required by the pro ject. This demonstration of co-operation and understanding was highly appreciated by the UN System.
By the end o f the pro ject in 1993, the LCBC professio nal staff were fully trained in hydro logical management. The Commission was left with the fo llowing system management tools:
i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.
Rehabilitated and well organized co mputerized documentation center; A mathemat ical model; A Hydro logical data base; A socio-economic data base A remote sensing unit fully equipped A co mputer unit
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vii.
A report on development options
The only shortcoming of the mathemat ical model was that for lack of authent ic data, it was built on synthet ic data. This necessitated addit ional work and updating of the real data obtained fro m the field.
It is also pertinent to ment ion here that the final stage of this pro ject coincided with that of the Master Plan for the environmentally sound management and development of the Lake Chad convent ional basin. The development options were therefore taken into account in the preparation of the master plan and eventually the Strategic Act ion P lan.
G. MONITORINGANDMANAGENMENTOFGROUNDWATERRESOURCESIN THELAKECHADBASIN
By Convent ion No 98/c88/ITE the French Co-operation provided the funds for the above pro ject. It was to be executed by French consultancy co mpany BRGM. However the process of preparing the term o f reference took long. This was because the fund provided was limited. So me member countries felt that additional funds should be looked for to enable the development of full -fledged piezo meters for authent ic data collection. The pro ject eventually started in 1992 and co mpleted in August 1993.
The objective of the pro ject was to provide the LCBC wit h new tools for the management of ground water resources. This tool was to be a model but because of insufficient funds available exist ing wells and not good piezometers were used. It was therefore only possible to produce what was called pre-model.
A review of the geographic and climat ic context of the basin was undertaken. The geological history and hydro logical structure of the region were also presented.
The final conclusio n and recommendat ion of the project were:
1. PrincipalremarksongroundwaterresourcesintheLakeChadBasinand recommendedact ion
Two main conclusio ns, which appeared to be contradictory were drawn fro m the study. On the one hand, groundwater reserves, in both the shallow aquifers and the confined aquifers of the early Pliocene and the continental terminal were said to be still very large and can be used in the ent ire basin as a source of often acceptable qualit y. On the other hand, it was emphasized that the reserves were vulnerable and must, at all cost, not be wasted in the light of the constant deficit caused by explo itation and the uncertainty about future climat ic
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condit ions especially as they will be increasingly called upon to satisfy the demands brought about by the growing populat ion and the booming econo my in the area.
The most urgent action to be undertaken to protect the resource was to systemat ically bring under control all of the artesian springs which were known causes of considerable water loss. This would require, among other things, the installat ion o f a cooling system, the water being too hot to be used as much. It was strongly reco mmended that systemat ic mo nitoring of water qualit y and the water table should be undertaken wit h rapid establishment of minimum network for the basin.
Concerning the qualit y o f the groundwater it was appointed out that, in general, water fro m the shallow aquifer was the best although in some places mineralized water with excessive sodium o r sulphate contents is encountered. The water in the early Pliocene and CT aquifers was o f poorer qualit y but was chemically acceptable for human consumpt ion. Water fro m continental Hamadian and the continental intercalcaire was limited in the center of the Lake Chad basin. It was concluded that rational management of groundwater resources in Lake Chad basin is indispensable.
2. Identificationofgapsinknowledge
The gaps included in general all o f the areas for which interest was not generated by human consumpt ion. In part icular, there was no hydrodynamic data (transmissivit y and storage) for the captive aquifers o lder than the continental terminal.
The basement is only known in the zones on the boundary o f the basin where it was shallow and was encountered while drilling for water and on the edge of the large trenches where o il wells and FAO wildcats were able to reach it.
Little was known about the extent of the cretaceous aquifer format ions--Maastricht ian neither continental Hamadian nor continental intercalcaire aquifersnor about the variat ions in faces of Masozoic or Palaeozoic format ions.
The faces changes in the CT and its underground boundaries in the Manga regio n are very hypothetical. The absence o f deposits attributable to the CT in FAO boreholes in Chaoua and Nguel Ghandi,
although reported at the outcrop near Termit and Kiriguim, allows the supposit ion that the CT is probably present in the area in the form o f bands result ing fro m the marked erosion at the end o f the Miocene. Almost no hydrodynamic data for this aquifer is available.
The underground boundaries of the early Pliocene in the west in Nigeria around Gashua and in the north of Manga (around Termit) could be precisely determined. Almost all o f the hydrodynamic values known for this aquifer are fro m the artesian area in Niger and Nigeria.
The strategic boundary between the quaternary and the late Pliocene was not clearly established in Nigeria where all of these were grouped under the name <upper formations>. Little is available on the hydrodynamic characterist ics (T and S) of the shallow aquifer in Nigeria and Niger. Few values are available on the amount of groundwater stored.
The report finally reco mmended future programs in ground water management. These include amo ng others:
Integration of Piezo metric and Hydro-chemical monitoring data bases into explo itation, interpretation and mapping software; Mapping o f the explo itabilit y of the aquifer based on criteria such as water qualit y and production center; Mathemat ical modeling; Installat ion of independent Piezo metric network; Automat ion eventually o f the Piezo metric surveillance system.
Monitoring o f the piezo meters is being undertaken by the water resources unit of the executive secretariat. This project is also the basis of the Chari/Logone ground water project being funded by the German BMZ.
H. STRATEGICACTIONPLAN
After the rat ification of the master plan in March 1994, the execut ive secretary was mandated to convene a meeting of some UN agencies and prepare a donors conference to mobilize the resources for the execution of the projects of the master plan. At the first meeting of the planning co mmittee attended by UND, UNDESA, UNESCO, UNEP, FAO and the executive secretariat, it was observed that UN agencies are not donors, they can only assist in the preparat ion and experience has shown that for a successful donors conference, the documents should have to be well
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prepared. It was said to be necessary to prepare a strategic action plan showing all the mechanisms for co-ordination, filling all gaps and eliminat ing duplication o f efforts. The Executive Secretary was therefore advised to find funds for the preparation o f the strategic act ion plan.
I contacted UNDP/GEF with a request to fund the No.1 project of the master plan: <Lake Chad Mult i-purpose project>. After some discussio ns it was agreed that the project could form the nucleus o f the strategic action plan. In September 1995, LCBC received approval for the GEF DPF Block B funding for the <Integrated Management of the Lake Chad Basin>. The project cost was US$ 342,000 provided as grant.
The object ive of the pro ject was to support countries o f the LCBC in their efforts to address the crit ical environmental problems of the basin through the development and implementation of a Strategic Action Plan (SAP). The GEF ro le was to facilitate the preparation and implementation of effect ive consultations, co-ordinat ion and mo nitoring mechanisms, the development of inst itutional capacit ies, the brokering of donor support, and the direct support of some of the priorit y program and actions ident ified in the SAP.
A Strategic Act ion Plan (SAP) was prepared taking into account the master plan and the updated diagnostic study. The principal objective of the plan was to prepare a regional framework for enviro nmental protection and sustainable development of the resources within the basin through an integrated approach guaranteed by all stakeholders in the basin
The four basic pr inciples o f SAP are:
An integrated management of the basin (i.e. Holistic, Mult i-sectional and integrated); - Alo ng term view and adaptabilit y; - Respect for ecosystem, - The invo lvement of large group of stakeho lders. Fundamental Criteria used were:
Basic data, The allocation of water resources; Production activit ies; Environmental protection; Inst itutional.
The preparat ion of the SAP led to the updating of the diagnostic study into account the membership of the Central African Republic and three reports were produced:
The physical hydro-system;

- The socio-economic and inst itutional system; - Environmental and internat ional waters. The SAP also divided the Convent ional Basin into three Sub-Basins:
Lake Chad and its basins; The Chari-Logone-El-Beid; The Ko madugu-Yobe.
The fo llowing priorit y act ions were ident ified: Init iating shared management of water resources with mechanisms for co-operation, co-ordinat ion and integration; Setting up of viable network for collection of baseline data Carr ying out basic measures to combat desert ification and the loss o f biodiversit y Ensuring the prevent ion and control of contamination and preserving fisheries resources; Improving method of explo it ing aquat ic ecosystem and protecting flood plains in consonance with regional development Feasibilit y studies relat ing to inter-basin water transfers; The Strategic Act ion Plan is on long term (20 years) and short term (8 years). The short-term program is broken into 3 and 5-year phases respectively;
The object ive of the three-year plan is the complet ion o f the work necessary to formulate GEFs regional program and to begin implementation of the act ivit ies already ident ified. It entails the mo bilization o f donors, National and International Assistance Inst itutions to finance the implementation o f the other programs. The phase will also include the collection of important baseline data.
The o bject ive o f the fo llowing five-year phase is to fully implement all elements of the GEFs regio nal program. This phase will be more operational, while keeping its steering and research-oriented characterist ics.
Other elements of the eight-year act ion plan are: Integrated management of the Chari-Logone-El-Beid sub-basin; Integrated management of the Ko madugu-Yobe sub-basin; National Projects of regional importance for the protection of Lake Chad;
This approach has in particular the fo llowing pr incipal object ives: -
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- A basin water policy in each country, taking into considerat ion the value o f hydro-systems and aquatic ecosystems in sectorial econo mic policies; - Establishment of inst itutional mechanisms for co-operation, coordination and consultat ion in each country of the Lake Chad Basin; - The creat ion of essent ial links between research programs, povert y eradicat ion, biodiversit y programs, fight against desert ificat ion, etc. through concrete actions, invo lving major stakeholders (Participatory approach). - Implementation of concrete priorit y actions to restore and protect the Lake Chad and its feeder rivers, in order to protect the aquatic ecosystems against new cross-border risks (sediment deposition, pollut ion, droughts, etc.); - Development of suitable mechanisms for monitoring and mobilizing internal and external financial resources, aimed at progressively achieving self-sufficiency for the sustainable management of the resources of the Basin; - The implementation of the SAP will be supervised by a Basin -wide Committee for Strategic Planning (BCSP). The Strategic Act ion Plan (SAP) was approved by the Council o f Ministers at its 45th sessio n held at Ndjamena, Chad in June, 1998. The SAP is flexible and donors could finance programs bilaterally or regionally.
I. HYDRODYNAMICMODEL
This was a pro ject joint ly implemented by the LCBC and Waza/Logone Project of Cameroon. The project cost was 52,615,761 CFA funded by the European Union. The floodplain o f the Logone River covers approximately 800 000 hectares of the Sahelian zone of the far- North of Cameroon. The fisheries, grazing and other abundant natural resources created by the annual cycle of flooding are utilized by up to 100 00 people. The floodplain is also a centre of biodiversit y, containing the nat ional parks of Waza and Kalamaloue. As an economic and conservat ion resource it is important not only regio nally but also internat ionally.
The productivit y and diversit y o f the Logone floodplain have however been reduced drastically in recent years as a result of changes in hydro logical processes. In 1979, a dam and embankments were constructed along the Logone River for an irr igated rice scheme for the Cameroon parastatal organization SEMRY. The rice scheme infrastructure has reduced the extent of the annual flood, which has led to serious ecological degradation of the floodplain and a decline in biodiversit y. S ince the 1970s
there has also been a reduction in rainfall fro m the levels seen in previous year due to drought, which further worsened the situat ion. The collapse of the floodplain fisheries and the diminut ion o f dry season pastures have resulted in economic hardship and the mass movement of people fro m the area.
The Waza-Logone Project was started in 1992 in an attempt to redress the ecologica l and socio-economic problems of the region. It has the global object ives of achieving a lo ng-term enhancement of biodiversit y and a sustainable improvement of the qualit y of life of the populat ion. As a principal means of attaining these objectives, the Project program proposes the re-inundat ion of the floodplain to restore as far as practicable the physical condit ions, which existed before the construction of the SEMRY infrastructure.
Re-inundat ion program activit ies began in 1993. These were primarily the hydro logical studies and monitoring, topographical survey, the pilot inundat ions, socio-economic studies and consultations with the local populat ion, ecological studies, an Environmental Impact Assessment, and Economic valuat ions.
The hydro logical condit ions and the hydraulic regimes of the floodplain and the wider catchment are extremely co mplex. There are also a large number of options for the release onto the floodplain. It was proposed therefore to use a hydrodynamic model as the only pract ical means of obtaining t he desired results.
A hydro logy model (HYDRO-CHAD) of the Lake Chad Basin had already been developed by Mott MacDonald in 1993 for the lake Chad Basin Co mmissio n. It was therefore agreed with the pro ject that this model could be modified and updated, making use o f the more recent and detailed hydro logical, hydro-geological and topographical information then available.
The Pr incipal object ives of the project were to: 1. Develop a new hydrodynamic mode of the Logone floodplain and the Lake Chad basin on the basis of the exist ing HYDRO-CHAD model of the Commissio n. 2. Establish the feasibilit y and durabilit y of the large-scale reinundation proposit ions for the floodplain developed by the Waza-Logone Project. 3. Predict the effects on Lake Chad of the same reinundat ion programme. 1. ExpectedoutputoftheStudy
Definit ions for the annual hydro logical conditions as good, average and poor to provide standard input data for the modeling of the options;
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Ident ification fro m historic data of trends in hydrological condit ions which can be applied to conditions assumed for a future 30 year period; Estimate of the probabilit y o f the occurrence of defined wet and dry cycles; Results o f the modeling in the form o f predict ions on a twice-monthly basis o f the depths and extent of flooding on the Lone flo odplain for the full durat ion of the annual flood, usually August to January, for specified hydro logical condit ions and reinundat ion options
2. ModelDevelopment
The HYDRO-CHAD model o f the Lake Chad Basin Co mmissio n was modified, updated, and recalibrated making use of the info rmat ion and data described above, and the late available so ftware. The model development consisted of two parts:
1. The Logone floodplain, between Yagoua/Bongor and Kouseeri/Ndjamena; 2. The who le o f the Logone-chari system and the Lake Chad Basin. The natural floodplain was modeled and calibrated as it existed before the construction of the flood protection and rice cultivat ion infrastructure in the 1970s. The various modificat ions made up to the present, including Lake Maga, were all modeled and calibrated.
The output reflected the inclusio n in the model of the detailed hydro logical, hydrogeological and topographical informat ion available for the Logone floodplain since 1994, and the addit ional data available for the catchment as a whole. A copy of the updated and modified model was supplied to the lake Chad Basin Commissio n in Ndjamena and installed on a computer provided by the pro ject. The computer was suitable for the satisfactory of the model wit h the fo llowing specifications:
Full mult i-media Intel Pent ium Processor 200 MHz/32 Mb RAM/2 Gb hard disk Backup of 2 CDs and two sets of diskettes (3 )
J. LIVESTOCKATLASOFTHELAKECHADBASIN
In September 1992, a discussio n was held wit h the representative of the European development fund (FAD) in Chad on the productio n of an At las on livestock in the convent ional basin who advised that a request be submitted to the center for technical
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co-operation on agriculture (CTA) in Holland for the preparation o f the Atlas. The project was finally approved by the center for co-*operation in agriculture (CTA) in December 1992. Field missio ns by CTA consultants in April 1993. Another missio n took place the fo llowing year in April 1994 and by June 1994, all the required documents for the job had been obtained by the consultant. In November 1996, three copies of the At las were submitted to the executive secretary. Fift y copies were finally received in January 1998 and distributed to the member countries.
Another request for the second phase to include the central Africa republic, which jo ined the commissio n in 1994, was turned down by CTA.
K. NGALATRAININGSCHOOL
This is a regional training inst itution of the co mmissio n established in 1977- to train extension workers for the member countries in the fields of agriculture, agricultura l mechanization, forestry, environment and pest control. The school runs harmonized syllabi for all the countries. The courses are run for two years each intake i.e. a batch of students graduates every two years. Hence, within the period under review, except for the years 1995 and 1996 when the school remained closed due to economic difficult ies faced by the co mmissio n, a total of 271 students had successfully graduated from the school. The details are as fo llo ws:
Country Agriculture CAMERO UN NIGER NIGERI A CHAD CAR TOTAL
Field of Specialization Forestry 15 14 28 18 75 19 7 26 12 1 65 Agricultural Mechanizat ion 7 5 28 12 52 Environment 7 9 14 13 11 54 Pest Control 3 4 11 7 1 25
Total Successful Graduates
51 39 107 62 12 271
(*) this does not reflect t he total admitted but those who successfully obtained cert ificates

IV. PROJECTSUNDERIMPLEMENTATION
A. CHARI/LOGONEINTEGRATEDPROJECT
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This was a pro ject of the master plan prepared and presented to the Islamic development bank before the decisio n on the preparat ion of the strategic action. This pro ject along with few others, were therefore considered as fore runners or pilot projects to those of the SAP.
After discussio ns wit h the bank on the pro ject and due consultations wit h the concerned i.e. Cameroun and Chad, the bank approved a subvent ion of US $340,000. The countries in which the project was located, which were also members o f the Islamic development bank were required to contribute 9.5% each. The countries accepted and convent ions were individually signed between them and the bank before the commencement of the project.
The contract for the pro ject after competit ive tenders was awarded to TURPAK INTERNATIONAL OF PAKISTAN for implementation. It finally co mmenced 26th October 1998. The terms of reference of the project included the fo llowing: Object iveoftheProject:
The pro ject is aimed at helping the governments of Cameroon and Chad including LCBC to undertake a feasibilit y study o f the Chari-Logone Integrated Rural Development Project.
Projectdescript ionandscope
The proposed technical assistance consists in carrying out a full feasibilit y study for the integrated rural development project with the aim o f developing 2,500 ha of land for irr igat ion and 4,00ha for rainfed agriculture. It is also aimed at developing animal husbandry and init iat ing the development and environmentally sound management of the basins natural resources in the Chari-Logone system.
The financing and preparat ion of a detailed work plan and documents for an invitat ion to tender will be required if feasibilit y studies are viable.
The fo llowing proposals have been made towards the accomplishment of the above object ives:
1. Socio-EconomicStudy The consultant will collect complete and analyze exist ing data on the populat ion concerned, family size and structure, immigrat ion problems, land tenure, current agricultural production, animal husbandry, handicraft and fishery, production structures and systems, family inco mes and nutrit ional balance sheet of the area, constraints and potentials for development. 2. MarketResearch The consultant will study the exist ing network of the market, openings and structures for agricultural products, animal husbandry and fishery, and propose solution concerning market organizat ion, price po licy and so on.
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3. TechnicalStudies i. Topography: the consultant will carry out exhaustive topographic study o f the area. ii. Pedology: the consultant will carry out appropriate research on soils in order to define soil t ypes, soil structures and viabilit y and its abilit y to support agriculture and animal husbandry. iii. Agrono my: the consultant will assess agricultural production systems and prospects for development: small and large-scale irr igat ion and recessio n agriculture. He will then propose appropriate production systems and adapted variet ies in the area. iv. Animal husbandry: the consultant will study prospects for the development of animal husbandry, animal management, opportunit ies for the reestablishment of livestock production and sustainable pastures. The consultant must study ways of restoring the Yaere pastures and preserve the stabilit y of animal health. He will also carry out agrostologic studies for the improvement of fodder production. v. Hydro logy: the consultant will study the ro le played by flood plains in the life of the populat ions of Chari-Logone system. He will make a detailed assessment of water resources, taking into account the necessit y for the equitable use and the restoration of Lake Chad. He will study the floe regime of floods, the inter-flood rate, model and control of depth and durat ion of floods. vi. The consultant will also study the possibilit y o f creating water points (wells, boreho les and art ificial pools) for the improvement of water resources for animal and human consumpt ion. vii. Fishery: the consultant shall assess prospects for fishery development in the Chari-Logone system viii. Hydraulic study: these co mprise concrete proposals for the development of 2,500ha o f land for irr igat ion (r ice, vegetables) and 4,000ha rainfed agriculture for the production of cereal, cotton and fruits. ix. Construction o f dykes: the consultant will study water storage system. He will re-assess exist ing storage system and make detailed proposals for construction of dykes. x. Opening up production areas by constructing new roads and maintaining exist ing ones. xi. Study if the environment: the consultant will study the pro ject impact on the environment with special attention to the needs of wildlife, its course and free passage dur ing seasonal migrat ions. xii. Construction o f other infrastructure like administrative buildings, training centers, sheds, stores, garages and training po ints.
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xiii.
List ing and justificat ion of required equipment and vehicles.
The consultants undertook extensive missio ns in the region, discussed with the local people, authorities concerned and collected data.
By May 2000, the fo llowing reports were submitted for comments: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Comments were made by LCBC secretariat, the bank and countries concerned on the reports. Each of these studies is expected to be finalized and made bankable for presentation to the bank and other donors for funding.
Ground water studies; Diagnostic study on socio-economy; Livestock component; Fisheries and Pisci-culture studies; Hydro logy; Socio-economic; Soil survey.
It should be po inted out here that by nature, the pro jects are national. Hence their implementation is going to be by the member countries with LCBC monitoring.
B. LCBC/GEFProjectonReversalo fLandandWaterDegradationTrendsintheLake ChadBasinEcosystem
The result of an earlier support fro m the Global Environment Facilit y (GEF) was the preparation of a Strategic Action Plan for the LCBC and a pro ject brief for a GEF funded pro ject. On the basis of that brief, the GEF earmarked the sum of $10 millio n for the above project.
In addit ion, a Project Development Facilit y C (PDF-C) of $346,500 was also approved to support the detailed technical design and feasibilit y o f demo nstration pro jects and co-brokering of other donors for the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan. The implementation agencies o f the project are under UNDP and t he World Bank.
A preparatory meet ing was held fro m 11-12 may, 2000 between LCBC and the implementation agencies in Ndjamena to arrange for the meet ing o f the technical committee of the basin. Two directors have already been appo inted by each country to that committee. In addit ion, there will be LCBC, UNDP, GEF, World Bank, UNEP and others to be invited as observers. The meet ing has been scheduled for 19th and 20th June 2000 in Ndjamena. The co mmittee is to select the pilot projects.
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Meanwhile, a consultant has been engaged to prepare a trans-boundary diagnostic analysis and Strategic Act ion Program for the GEF pro ject to be financed by GEF and other donors to be mobilized by the PDF-C provision.
C. FISHERIES
In preparat ion of a regional program for the Lake Chad basin co mmissio n, the FAO sent in two consultants, who undertook a mission to all the member states between 7th and 29thSeptember, 1988. They prepared a program on regional seminar of fisheries. The seminar was organized at the headquarters of the LCBC fro m 8 and 12 January 1990. The seminar reco mmended five major programs with priorit y on the rehabilitation of the regional center at Djimt illo.
1. Djimt illoRegio nalFisheriesCenter A request was submitted to the Islamic development bank in March 1990 to fund the rehabilitat ion of the center. The bank sent in a missio n the fo llowing year to discuss the issue. It was agreed that since it was a regio nal pro ject all countries would benefit fro m it. Chad was therefore persuaded to withdraw its earlier request for a nat ional pro ject on the same site. Chad agreed accordingly. In February 1992, the bank approved a subvent ion of US $260,000 to Chad for the regional pro ject at Djimt illo. This is in confo rmit y wit h the bank operational procedure. The policy of the bank is that it only funds pro jects or make grants to its member countries. The execut ive secretariat was also asked to adapt the banks procedure for selection and award of contracts. A list of eight consult ing firms was sent to the secretariat which tenders were invited to be submitted with a time limit of up to 28th July 1992. After evaluat ion o f tenders by a co mmittee of experts, SCET TUNISIE/SEPIA were awarded the consultancy jo b after negotiat ion and acceptance by the firm to reduce its o ffer fro m 1,290,000FF to 880,000FF as required by the Islamic development bank. The object ives of the project were as fo llows: Study the rehabilitation of the infrastructure of the center Training of trainers both officers and extensio n workers; Improvement and modernizat ion of fishing methods in the lake and its affluent; Preservat ion of endangered fish species; Improvement of fish conservation techniques; Co-ordination and harmonization o f research findings and t raining etc. The study was to first analyze the exist ing situation and define what contribut ion could be made to establish a regional fisheries center for the Lake Chad
convent ional basin. In general it should try to determine its configuration and funct ions and locations. It should give est imated cost and utilizat ion. The study started in August 1994 and by October, the same year, the diagnostic study was provisio nary submitted. The final provisio nal report was submitted in January 1996. In its comment on the report, the Islamic development bank pointed out that it did not include the economic just ificat ion of the project.
The consultant SEPIA responded that, the aspect would be taken up in the 2 nd phase of the pro ject. This issue drug on, until June 1999. A decisio n was reached with a delegation fro m IDB to terminate the project and look for another consultant.
Receiving that report, the bank reacted that in view of legal implicat ion termination of the job was not advisable. The bank suggested that the issue o f changing the site proposed by the consultant be looked into and that in the terms of reference for the 2nd phase be added specific complementary study on socioeconomy and the impact of fishing act ivit ies on the populat ion and its economy in the sub-region. It should also include financial analysis o f the center based on various scenarios, etc.
A program has been submitted in February 2000 by SEPIA on the new proposal for the realization o f the phase in quest ion. The bank has been requested to endorse the proposal before execut ion.
2. Sustainabledevelopmentofcontinentalfisheries:aregionalstudyofpo licyoptionsand policy informationmechanismfortheLakeChadbasin This is a research pro ject predicated on the knowledge that the continental fisheries o f Africa (e.g. Lake Chad basin) are increasingly threatened by overexplo itation (fro m o verfishing) and degradat ion (through environmental change and desert ification), and as a result the benefits that African nations might derive fro m the use of these natural resources are not being realized. An important starting po int in attempt ing to address these problems is to recognize that fisheries policy format ion must be improved. In particular, in order to achieve sustainable fisheries development a better understanding of the design and implementation of appropriate fisheries management systems must be incorporated within a fisheries po licy. This project was approved for funding by European Unio n. The execution of the pro ject is through partnership amo ngst the Center for the Economic and Management of Aquat ic Resources (CEMARE), Universit y o f Portsmouth, UK, Inst itutFrancais de Recherche Scient ifique pour la Development et Cooperatio n ORSTOM, now (IRD) Dakar,
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(MINEPIA-DP), Yaounde, National Institute for Freshwater Fisheries Research (NIFFR), New Bussa/Maiduguri and the Lake Chad Basin Commission. The total cost of the project is 540,000 ECU. The implementation agency and coordinator of the partnership is the Universit y o f Portsmouth. Each partner has specific ro les and the results are centrally coordinated at the head office. The pro ject that commenced 1stNovember, 1998 will last for three years. A two-week workshop was also organized at the LCBC secretariat for all the part icipants in February, 1999. Subsequent meet ings to review the progress were held in Portsmouth U.K and Maroua in Cameroon respectively.
The object ives are as fo llows: Contribute to the sustainable development of the continental fisheries o f the lake Chad basin; Strengthen the relat ionship between the fisheries sector, research inst itutes and both national and internat ional administrations in the region; Encourage greater participat ion of fisheries stake ho lders (fisheries and fish organizat ions) in the po licy-format ion process; Enhance the capabilit ies of the research institutes invo lved in the project; Strengthen the links between regio nal research institutes in the lake Chad basin through south-south collaboration in the project; Strengthen north-south links through project activities; To understand the opportunit ies and constraints for fisheries development at nat ional and regio nal levels and ident ify info rmat ion priorit ies for po licyformat ion; The development of framework for sustainable fisheries development in the region i.e. policy-options; Work has been in progress on the satisfactorily. D. LIVESTOCK
1. Regionalpro jectforconservat ionanddevelopmentofanendangeredbovine breed:TheKuricattle
This is a pro ject of biodiversit y interest, the preparation of which was init ially supported by the FAO and is part ially implemented. The number of the Kuri cattle race in the Lake Chad area is not known. They were est imated at 400,000 heads in 1976 and that is said to be in Chad. The majorit y of the animals are Zebu/Kuri cross-bred. Externally, the Kuri is characterized by its horns, round, oval or harp shaped, the absence of hump, a straight head pro file and a flat head. It is a heavy animal (up to 650kg) and the
female can produce 5 to 7 liters o f milk daily. It is fit for oxen-cult ivat ion and animal traction. It is also sensit ive to trypanosomiasis. In the area of Lake Chad, livestock husbandry int egrates well into a balanced ecosystem. Kuri cattle remain tributary of the natural environment to which it is, besides, very well adapted. The future of the pure Kuri is threatened for the fo llowing reasons: - This breed of cattle is being commercially exploited in an intense and uncontrolled manner - It is undergo ing intensive cross breeding wit h the Zebu specie. - As a result of difficult access to islands o f the lake the Kuri does not benefit fro m veterinary services rendered by the government
The main object ives are: Reconst itution of pure Kuri cattle populat ion in the area thereby increasing the protein supply. An inco me generat ion for the livestock breeders thanks to the commercialization o f better quantit y animals and an improved milk processing techniques. Have Kuri cattle less dependent on transhumance in order to favor the introduction o f oxen-cult ivat ion in the po lders of the lake.
To preserve t he exist ing nucleus o f Kuri cattle, mult iply them and disseminate them in the member states of the LCBC. The strategy adapted is to get the supports of various inst itutions in order facilitate work in those states.
At the end of the first phase a Kuri cattle herd will be created and select ion centers will be established in each member country for an open nucleus breeding system. The operation will be conducted in their natural habitat in close co-operation with the Kuri cattle breeders.
The planned operation will include disease control, animal production, rural animat ion, and training.
The pro ject was planned to be executed in 5years at a total est imated cost of about US $6.2 millio n.
The FAO champio ned the course in the preparatio n stage. It also led to the classification of the Kuri cattle race as endangered specie. Unfortunately it has not been able to mobilize the necessary funds for the project.
However the project document was used by the Farcha laboratory of Chad to obtain some small funding fro m European development fund.
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2. FarchaLaboratoryProject The Farcha zoo-technical and veterinary research laboratory undertook a research project financed by FED fro m 1994 to 1996 on genet ic, Agropastoralism, Epidemio logy and over production systems aspects of the Kuri cattle conservat ion. These are co mponents of the overall Kuri pro ject elaborated by LCBC and the FAO.
The results defined the fo llowing: i. Visible genet ic profile o Skin color, o type of horns, o ear presentation o head t ype and o Head profile. ii. Blood groups iii. Biochemical study o Hemoglobin, o Transferring o lacto proteins, o and DNA. iv. The genetic po llut ion of the area, v. Mapping of the Kuri cattle distribut ion
It could be seen that this pro ject is part ially executed. Funds are st ill being sought for the implementation of the who le project.
E. LCBC/ADBPROJECT:INTEGRATEDPESTMANAGEMENT(IPM)
The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project funded by the African development bank was to commence in 1993/94. Unfortunately, the bank had to go through some reorganizat ion process that lasted for some t ime. It also had to work on a new po licy funding regional projects before revisit ing the project.
Member countries are to be closely invo lved in the implementation of the pro ject through their agricultural inst itutions. The bank had selected the fo llowing inst itutions:
Cameroon: Inst itute of Agrono mic Research for Development (IRAD), Center of Maroua: Niger: National Institute of Agrono mic Research of Niger (INRAN) Nigeria: Universit y of Maiduguri Chad: will be covered by the co-ordination unit at the Commissio ns Headquarters in Ndjamena
National crop protection services were invo lved. The internat ional supervisio n team of the project were to include: o The Natural Resources Institutes (NRI) in the Unit ed kingdom o The Internat ional Research Institute for Semi-ar id Tropics (ICRISAT) of Niamey o The Internat ional Inst itute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.
On 10th march, 1998, the Executive Secretary visited the bank to find out the progress, having waited since November 1997, without information. He was informed that the bank was working on a po licy paper on how to handle regional pro jects. This po licy had been approved which set a limit on allowable grants on regional pro jects to, not more than US$1 millio n or1/10th of their total allo cation. Hence the latest re-evaluat ion missio n reduced the durat ion of the project to two years with most of the components retained.
The pro ject was finally approved on 11 th May 2000, at a total cost of 1.4 millio n U/A= 1,254.30 millio n FCFA for 2 years. Addit io nal funds will have to be looked for to complement the project for another 2 years. This is necessary as a research project for authent icit y of the data and conclusio ns of the research. There are some pre-requisites required by the bank and they have already been set in motion.
F. CAMPAIGNTOSAVETHELAKECHAD
The campaign to save the Lake Chad started with the summit in 1987 declaring the Lake Chad basin a disaster area. That summit directed that a meeting of Environment Ministers o f LCBC member countries be convened to address the issue. The ministers met six t imes between 1988 and 1994 and drew up a Master Plan for the Development and Environmentally Sound Management of the basins natural resources with the assistance of UNEP, UNSO and the FAO.
Meanwhile radio and televisio n campaigns were carried out at the nat ional levels especially during LCBC sessions and summits. Such occasions and internat ional conferences were always used to explain and demonstrate the dwindling water resources of the Lake Chad and its ecosystems.
The highlight of the Eighth Summit of the Heads of State in March,1994 at Abuja, Nigeria was the Launching of an Internat ional Campaign to save the Lake Chad.
Statements of solidarit y and support preceded the campaign that was launched by the then President of the Summit for the LCBC by the Internat ional Organizat ions invited to the summit. They included UNESCO, ECA, FAO, ADB, UNDP, UNSO and UNEP.
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Launching t he campaign, the president declared that it was very imperat ive t hat urgent actions are taken to save the Lake Chad from total obliterat ion by drought and desert ificat ion. If not the lakes pivotal ro le of checking the Sahara desert encroachment would be lo st. He concluded that with the Master Plan ready a viable and sustainable strategy has been achieved for the basins management. He pledged support of the member countries to the implementation of the plan.
Wit h efforts being taken to implement the plan result ing in the preparation of a Strategic Act ion Plan and now the GEF pro ject on the Reversal o f land and Water degradation trend in the Lake Chad basin the campaign continues. The campaign was carried to the 2nd World Water Forum at the Hague in March 2000.
The 2 nd World Water Forum was organized at The Hague by the government of the Netherlands, Global Water Partnership and the World Water Council fro m 17th to 22th March 2000. It was a world water event meant to address water issues glo bally. A Ministerial meeting that discussed the Framework for Act ion and made some pledges rounded up the Campaign.
The Lake Chad Basin Co mmission was given a slot to make a regio nal presentation on the Lake Chad basin. The Executive Secretariat prepared a visio n for the basin and a framework for action based on the approved Strategic Act ion Program of the commissio n. The proposed visio n wan presented to the commissio n at the 47th sessio n at Abuja in March 2000. This was meant to afford the Co mmissio n to carry the campaign to save the Lake Chad to the International Co mmunit y. The Honorable Commissio ners were also requested to endeavor to participate at the forum to give the secretariat not only moral support but also the polit ical clouds to convince the International Co mmunit y to support its programs and pro jects. The Vision was endorsed for presentation by the 47th Session and a reso lut ion taken urging the Honorable Co mmissio ners to attend the Forum.
The general attendance at the forum was excellent. Over 4,500 people part icipated at the forum wit h over 100 countries represented. Regional presentations were made on the same day. In spite of the fact that presentations on the Afr ica day were made at the same time, the LCBC venue was full. We had four LCBC Ministers that participated with submissio ns fro m two countries, one NGO, UNDP/GEF and of course, the presentation of the Executive Secretariat on the problems and challenges to Integrated River Basin Management in the Lake Chad and then the Missio n itself. We also had speeches fro m the UNEP Execut ive Director and Executive Secretary of the ECA. In addit ion to the International Co mmunit y that was there, we had the honor of receiving the President of the African Development Bank and the Minister of Water Resources of Congo Brazzaville.
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The Visio n of the Commissio n captioned 2025 was summarized as fo llows:
The Lake Chad Regio n would like to see by the year 2025 the Lake Chadcommo n heritage- and other wetlands maintained at sustainable levels to ensure the economic securit y o f the freshwater ecosystem resources, sustained biodiversit y and aquat ic resources of the basin, the use of which should be equitable to serve the needs of the populat ion of the basin thereby reducing the poverty level. A Lake Chad Regio n where the regional and nat ional authorit ies accept responsibilit ies for freshwater, ecosystem, and biodiversit y conservation and judicious integrated river basin management to achieve sustainable development A Lake Chad Regio n where every member state has equitable access to safe and adequate water resources to meet its need and rights and maintain its freshwater, ecosystem and biodiversit y.
A summary of the Visio n and challenges was published in a brochure form. The Visio n and problems and challenges of integrated management of the Lake Chad Basin were also produced. As indicated above, the Visio n and its Action Plan were based on Strategic Action Plan (SAP). The Forum was therefore used to mobilize and sensit ive the International Co mmunit y on the problems, challenges and the plan to tackle and solve the problems faced by the lake.
CONCLUSION
It should be po inted out here that since the 1990 Summit decisio n on the re-structuring of the Execut ive Secretariat all national pro jects hit herto being implemented by the Commissio n were handed over along with their assets and liabilit ies to the countries in which they were situated for complet ion.
Since then the role of the LCBC has been limited to coordination, planning, mobilization and execution of regio nal pro jects. It also plans, mobilizes and mo nitors the implementation of nat ional pro jects with implications within the basin.
Wit h the two regional pro jects just taking off, i.e. the GEF/LCBC Project on Reversal o f Land and Water Degradation Trends in the Lake Chad Ecosystems and the ADB/LCBC Project on Integrated Pest Management, the Commissio n is on sound footing to leap into the future development process of the conventional basin. What is important is cooperation, and flexibilit y to accommodate the different conditionalit ies of both bilateral and international donors thereby finding a place for each to contribute.
30 MAY, 2000.
th
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LCBC Achievements 1988-2000

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LCBC Achievements 1988-2000

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LAKE CHAD BASIN COMMISSION

ACHIEVEMENT 1988 - 2000

NDJEMANA: MAY 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Chad Niger Cameroon Nigeria

15% 15% 25% 45%

Achievements 1988 2000

Chad Niger Cameroon Nigeria

12.3% 4.5% 29.2% 54.9%

Chad Niger Cameroon Nigeria

9.2% 5.3% 26.5% 59.0%

The average of the three proposals rounded o ff as follows:

Chad Niger Cameroon Nigeria

12% 8% 27% 53%

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Cameroon Niger Nigeria Chad

27% 8% 53% 12%

Achievements 1988 2000

II. SECURITY ANDBORDERDEMARCATIONINTHE LAKECHAD19881990

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

1. Environmental considerat ion 2. Socio-economic 3. Agricultural and

Achievements 1988 2000

Expected outputs were:

Achievements 1988 2000

i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi.

Achievements 1988 2000

A report on development options

The final conclusio n and recommendat ion of the project were:

1. PrincipalremarksongroundwaterresourcesintheLakeChadBasinand recommendedact ion

Achievements 1988 2000

The four basic pr inciples o f SAP are:

Achievements 1988 2000

The physical hydro-system;

Lake Chad and its basins; The Chari-Logone-El-Beid; The Ko madugu-Yobe.

This approach has in particular the fo llowing pr incipal object ives: -

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Country Agriculture CAMERO UN NIGER NIGERI A CHAD CAR TOTAL

Field of Specialization Forestry 15 14 28 18 75 19 7 26 12 1 65 Agricultural Mechanizat ion 7 5 28 12 52 Environment 7 9 14 13 11 54 Pest Control 3 4 11 7 1 25

Total Successful Graduates

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

List ing and justificat ion of required equipment and vehicles.

B. LCBC/GEFProjectonReversalo fLandandWaterDegradationTrendsintheLake ChadBasinEcosystem

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

1. Regionalpro jectforconservat ionanddevelopmentofanendangeredbovine breed:TheKuricattle

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

Achievements 1988 2000

The Visio n of the Commissio n captioned 2025 was summarized as fo llows:

Achievements 1988 2000