By Augustine Octavius
A validation process of in-depth diagnostic report on the impact of mining and energy on the management of transboundary water resources in the MRU basin. Is underway in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.
The Mano River Union comprises three West African states—Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast.
The fourth ordinary session of the trans-boundary water resources management committee of the Mano River Union began Monrovia. Earlier this week.
The meeting is organized with support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, brought representatives from Sierra Leone, Guinea and host country, Liberia.
Delegate at the MRU forum in Monrovia
Speaking at the ceremony marking the beginning of the meeting, the Resident Representative of the Mano River Union in Liberia, Christian Jallah said the exploitation of natural resources in the Mano River basin is causing adverse environmental problem.
He added that the mining of upstream of the rivers tends to pollute the rest of the river body by diamond and gold mining activities with chemical pollution.
According to him, the overall objective of the regional meeting is to validate the products and results of the joint process implemented with platform to finalize the study on the impact on water resources.
The MRU Resident Representative added that the meeting will train members of the national water platforms from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone on water benefits sharing in a context of cross –border cooperation.
In remarks, the Director of the Liberian Hydrological Services at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Anthony Kpadeh, commended the Mano River Union for conducting leadership actions by strengthening the capacity for cross-border cooperation, in order to ensure better governance of water resources.
He said that measures should be employed in order to monitor the industrial activities and reduce water pollutants because industrial development in the basin area is poorly developed and it is likely to remain until hydropower and water supply situation is improved along MRU basin.
“The industrial growth of the MRU in the manufacturing, mining and processing industries shall undoubtedly play a key role in the sustainable development of member states.”
“It is therefore necessary to institutionalize policies and regulations that will guide the achievement of this goal.”
Commenting on challenges , Mr. Kpadeh pointed out that conflict with local authorities on the issues of trespassing traditional site in forest and on rivers.
Another issues are the settling of the tribal and deeds certificates in member-states to identify concessions agreement, the environmental guide for the protection of the environment reclamation.
“We should ensure both physically and economically of the population nutritious food, by rebuilding farm-to market roads as well as enhancing incomes generation amount the member states for locals”.
For her part, the Program Officer for Water and Wetland in Central and West Africa at the International Union for the Conservation Union, Sandrine Sankara –Bassaonon, who spoke through an interpreter, praised Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone for their cooperation in the maintenance of the water resources in the region.