Recharge of Lake Chad important to Africa

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on Europe and America to help in the recharge of Lake Chad to restore normal life to millions of people in the area.

He said that the greatest investment Europe and America could make in Africa was to help the continent accomplish inter-basin water transfer to recharge the Lake Chad.

The President said at the State House, when he hosted the chairman of the African Union Commission, Mr Moussa Faki Mahamat.

According to him, because of climate change, the Lake Chad which has been a source of livelihood to millions of people in the region, has shrunk to about 10 per cent of its original size.

“People who depended on the lake for fishing, farming, animal husbandry, and many others, have been thrown into dire straits.

“That is one of the reasons youths now dare the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to seek greener pastures in Europe. But helping to recharge Lake Chad will help a great deal in curbing irregular migration.”

The president also promised that issues of security, including the influx of small arms from the Sahel, which has worsened the conflict between herders and stagnant farmers will be kept on the front burner.

“At all international fora, we emphasize the matter of Lake Chad. We also talk about the influx of small arms from the Sahel, which worsens the security situation between herders and stagnant farmers. We will keep the issues on the front burners,” he said.

The AU Commission Chairman on his part commended President Buhari, saying his leadership was good for Nigeria, for AU, and for Africa in general.

He described Nigeria as the engine of Africa, politically, economically and in the areas of peace and security.