Niger : Towards Water Resource Management

The study reviews Niger's water
resources, and planning process, through its short- and
medium-term water investment program, and priorities in the
water supply, and sanitation sector. Critical challenges are
examined for improving its complex water resources
management to support economic growth, given its landlocked
situation, with diffuse, and mostly rural population, and
immense, untapped fossil aquifer supplies. Despite multiple
surface water basins, very little precipitation occur, thus
the government has recently undertaken a ten-year process of
preparing a water resource management investment strategy,
one that requires financial resources currently unavailable.
Information and data management, institutional arrangements,
and the legal, and regulatory framework is analyzed to
achieve a feasible master plan, and strengthen implications
for the water sub-sectors. Recommendations suggest the
development of financing mechanisms, consistent with
sustainable management of water resources, in line with
strengthening water data collection, and information systems.