UNESCO

The UNESCO on Monday called for the use of diplomacy and peaceful management of natural resources of Lake Chad Basin through the Potential Conflict to Cooperation Potential (PCCP) approach.

Mr Yao Ydo, the Director of UNESCO Regional office and Representative of UNESCO in Nigeria said this at the Round-Table meeting with stakeholders on water resources in Abuja.

He said that the organisation’s BIOPLAT project was funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to build peace through International cooperation in Education, Science and Culture.

Yao, who was represented by Simone Grego, the Regional Advisor for Natural Sciences, UNESCO said that BIOLPLAT is the use of PCCP approach for peaceful management of the Lake Chad Resources.

He further said that PCCP approach was part of the UNESCO International Hydrological Programmes (IHP) which was designed to address water conflict resolution around the world.

“Lake Chad is dwindling, the effects of climate change, population growth, poor management and competition for natural resources have reduced the lake surface substantially.

“Fragile Ecosystem are being destroyed, livelihoods are threatened and insecurity followed in its wake.”

He said that the region was already facing the scourge of extremists group perpetrating violence among the populations.

However, Mrs Renee Gift, UNESCO IHP (Paris) stated that the purpose of the meeting was to build capacity of various stakeholders countries that share the Lake Chad; Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

She also said that the training would educate experts on the principles of sharing water peacefully among countries and also for them to become trainers for more efficiency in conflict management.