Liberia: Transboundary Diagnosis Analysis Draft Report Validated, MRU Stakeholders Recommend Firm Collaboration Amongst Member Countries
Monrovia – At the end of the two -day intensive review of the draft of the Regional Synthesis Report of Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) which largely focuses on Moa Makona and Cavalla River basins, stakeholders from the four MRU member countries including Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast have approved the report with a number of strategic recommendations and comments which they believe are fundamentally vital to the report.
Amongst other things, the body recommended the need for further training on IWRM at the diplomatic level as well as provide sponsorship for an academic program at national institution of higher learning for member states to build the capacities of technicians and also that further research be supported to close the limited gaps of the TDA reports. It was further recommended that the procurement of an international consultant should consider both Anglophone and francophone to avoid the issue of language barrier and also that future projects in the basin should consider adequate allocation of funds to avoid gaps in the research or implementation. The issue of gender use of water resources was recommended be considered by the consultants.
The meeting, led by the National Coordination Committee (NPCU) and supervised by Regional Executing Agency (REA) of the MRU, addressed the issues of synthesis regional report, reviewed and confirmed identified problems, confirmed identified Transboundary priority problems, consolidated comments and insert applicable amendments in support of national stakeholders’ inputs on the draft regional synthesis report, amongst others.
During the official opening ceremony, the MRU Country Coordinator, Mr. Christian Jallah extolled the courage of the workshop participants on behalf of MRU Secretary General Ambassador Medina Wesseh and urged them to use the workshop the best way possible so that its intended purpose can yield desired results to benefit the MRU countries. He registered the vested interest of the MRU Secretary General in the exercise, which he described as regionally viable for today and future generation.
Making statement also, the Deputy Managing Director at the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), Mr. Joseph J. Tally emphasized the scientific relevance of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis exercise terming it as the best way forward as far as diagnosis of the state of the environment and shared water resources are concerned.
He the hoped the TDS Regional Synthesis Report will.be endorsed as expected and incorporated as working tool in the development of Strategic Action Plan (SAP) of the priority basins, Cavalla and Makona in Liberia.
A regional team of consultants conducted studies in the basins and developed the regional synthesis document of the MRU. As part of this exercise, short term field missions were organized allowing visits to sites of special interests in the target basis including Cavalla and Mao Markona Rivers. From 2004 to 2008 the Heads of State of member countries demonstrated a greater political will to re-launch the MRU with more ambitious objectives with particular emphasis placed on sustainable use and management of the important natural resources within the MRU area including water and forest resources. At the end of the workshop a resolution is expected to be passed by the participants to approve the scrutinized version for regional validation.