By AKPAN GLORY

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) says member countries of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) stand to benefit from its collaboration with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) on the International Transboundary Aquifer System (ITAS) project.

Mr Umar Mohammed, Director-General of NiHSA, said this in Abuja at the Regional Workshop on Sharing Experiences and Best Practices in the Management of Groundwater Resources.

He explained that the project was helping to restore groundwater levels in the Sokoto Rima Basin in northwestern Nigeria.

He added that the lessons learned could be scaled up across the Niger Basin, which stretches across nine West and Central African countries.

According to him, one of NiHSA’s core mandates is to monitor and manage transboundary waters, including surface and underground aquifers shared with neighbouring countries.

Mohammed said groundwater levels in the Sokoto Basin had declined sharply following the deflection of a river, a development that forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands.

He noted that collaboration with OSS had produced encouraging results.

“We have gone about 80 to 90 percent down the project, and we have started to see the groundwater being recharged.

“The level now is moderate. Even though it’s rainy season now, we wouldn’t really be sure of the river, but I’m sure after the rainy season, we’ll be able to see some remarkable recharge in those groundwater,” he said.

On climate change-related water challenges, Mohammed said water transfer was feasible and already being tested in Nigeria, with potential for replication in other NBA countries experiencing water stress.

“Yes, very, very feasible. Actually, as we speak now, we’re trying to do a pilot project with Niger State Government towards this water transfer to the water stress areas from the water log areas.

“We are working on that, and we’ve done the studies, so now we have to see to strategise the implementation of that. So it’s very, very possible,” he said.

Mohammed added that the Sokoto River had changed course due to environmental and climate factors.

“So that was why the river took a different course, and we are now reversing it back to its natural course, which naturally the groundwater will be recharged,” he said.

On the prospects for farmers during the dry season, he said the agency had already recorded remarkable changes in groundwater recharge.

He added that NiHSA was looking forward to farmers returning to their farmlands during the dry season.

Earlier, Ms Soumaya Mouhli, a water expert at OSS, said the ITAS study addressed pandemic-related and environmental risks, including reduced water availability, declining quality and climate change impacts.

She said modelling revealed strong interactions between the Niger River and underground aquifers, which directly concern all NBA member states.

“Findings showed that the Niger River feeds aquifers with about 35 million cubic metres of water per year, while the aquifers replenish local rivers with about 650 million cubic metres annually.

“This demonstrates the significant exchanges between surface and groundwater,” she said.

Mouhli added that the study mapped pollution risks and identified options for water transfer to remote communities, while also proposing certification tools to ensure timely responses to pollution threats.

Also Prof. Murtala Abubakar, a member of the Inter-Ministerial and Scientific Committee of the ITAS Project, said the initiative was critical to groundwater management not just in Nigeria but across the Niger Basin.

He said the project targeted improved management in the southern Basin, especially the Sokoto Basin, which he described as fragile and climate-vulnerable.

“By ensuring continuous flow within the Sokoto River, we can secure steady groundwater recharge and reliable water supply for communities,” Abubakar said.

He stressed that most inhabitants of the region were farmers who depended on groundwater for irrigation.

Improving groundwater recharge will restore farmlands, enhance agricultural productivity, and improve the livelihoods of the people,” he added.

Abubakar disclosed that the project had an initial budget of 200,000 dollars, which had been utilised, while discussions were ongoing for the release of a second tranche.

The ITAS project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by the OSS.

It is expected to boost NBA member countries’ capacity to tackle groundwater challenges, enhance food security and build climate resilience. (NAN)