The Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Peter Manawa Gatkuoth, has said the 29th annual Nile Council of Ministers meeting scheduled for Juba is key to the cooperation among the countries that benefit from sharing opportunities in the Nile Basin.
At a press briefing in Juba yesterday, Gatkuoth said all the members of the Nile Council of Ministers (Nile-COM) are expected to arrive in the country today.
According to Gatkuoth, Nile-com is the highest political and decision-making body of the NBI, comprising of ministers in charge of water affairs in the member states.
“The 29th Nile Council of Ministers meeting is an annual event that meets to evaluate the programs of NBI and provide strategic guidance for the future operation of the institution and the achievement of its overall goals and objectives.”
South Sudan will host this year’s Nile-COM meeting on Friday, November 26, 2021.
He said Nile-com is expected to approve the annual work plan and budget of the NBI Secretariat on the recommendation of the Nile-Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) as well as the presentation of regional and transboundary policies.
The opening session of the 29th Nile-com will be attended by dignitaries from South Sudan, representatives from the Diplomatic Corps, development partners, and the media fraternity.
He said on this occasion, a key NBI publication known as ‘‘The Nile Basin Wetlands Atlas’’ will be launched by the Guest of Honour.
“Occupying 17.7 per cent of the River Nile Basin, South Sudan benefits from its membership in NBI through engagement, deliberation, and consultation on the optimal, sustainable, and equitable use of the Nile Basin water resources,” Peter stressed.
Benefits assured
He revealed that South Sudan is participating in 22 projects of transboundary significance, which are expected to contribute to the country’s environmental sustainability as well as its energy, water, and food security.
“Examples of investment projects include the Lakki Hydro Power Plant (valued at $30 million); the MalakaI-Bentiu Transmission Line (valued at $52 million); the Shukoli Hydro Power Plant (valued at $30 million); and the Baro-Akobo-Sobat Water Resources Development (valued at 2 million euros), among others.”
Peter said South Sudan is proud to host the event whose deliberations and outcomes have an impact on approximately 272 million people who live within the Nile Basin.
The minister further encouraged the people of South Sudan to extend their warm hospitality to the visitors who are staying at various hotels in Juba.
Eng. Sylvester Anthony Matemu, the NBI Executive Director, confirmed that seven out of ten Nile ministers have already confirmed their attendance at the conference.
He said the upcoming Juba Nile Basin conference will have a lot of blessings since many top Nile Basin leaders will attend the conference.
“I can now confirm to you that the meeting will have a lot of blessings to the republic of South Sudan because many stars would like to come to Juba, up to now seven ministers have confirmed to come and one will participate virtual,” he revealed.
The Nile Basin Initiative (NDI) is a regional institution bringing together ten countries that share the Nile river, including Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.