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This paper examines the implementation of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Cross river basin, Nigeria. The Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) was established in 1976 with a mandate for integrated development, using the abundant water resources available in the region. Thirty years after the creation of the CRBDA, the...
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... The discussion to this point has clearly shown the importance of governance in the water sector. In many countries, including Ghana, the new approach to water resources management has introduced new institutions, policies, laws, rules, and regulations with the aim of influencing good governance in the management of water resources (Agyenim & Gupta, 2012;Akpabio et al., 2007;Bourblanc & Blanchon, 2014;Sokile et al., 2003). However, a question remains: Are the new changes deepening good governance in water resources management? ...
... To help address the financial challenges in the water sector, the government has become overly dependent on donor agencies to fund projects and programs, but donor funds are irregular and often come with conditions. This finding is similar to the experience in Nigeria and South African in which financial and human resources are identified as the major problems hindering accountability in water resources management (Akpabio et al., 2007;Funke et al., 2007). Moreover, over reliance on donor-funded projects and programs affects the sustainability of water resources management because, when a project ends, there is often no exit strategy. ...
In the global water policy literature, integrating governance principles into water resources management is projected as the best approach to overcome the crisis in water resources management. Therefore, since 1990, many countries, including Ghana, have introduced various changes in their water sector to encourage good governance in the management of the resource. Using interviews and a review of policy and regulatory documents, this study examines recent changes in the water sector in Ghana to identify challenges for good governance in water resources management. The results suggest that the introduction of a new institutional framework and several regulatory mechanisms, including policies, rules, regulations, and laws, has decentralized water management system, increased stakeholder participation, granted voice to marginalized stakeholders, and brought government and communities together in the decision‐making process. However, the results further reveal that several challenges, including institutional barriers, exclusion or underrepresentation of key stakeholders, corruption, multisectoral conflict, collaboration preferences, and others continue to frustrate good governance in water resources management. Deliberately committing to the principles of good governance, amending ineffective regulatory mechanisms, and adequately resourcing regulatory institutions can help avoid many of the challenges in the water sector and propel the country toward sustainable water resources management.
... Effective communication and coordination among stakeholders (notably government agencies, NGOs, and private organisations) will likely help improve overall organisational capacity, a prerequisite for the implementation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan (Kulsum et al., 2020;Mutahara et al., 2020). Akpabio et al. (2007) and Akpabio (2008) arrived at similar conclusions for the Cross Basin River, Nigeria, where insufficient staff capacity, inadequate management systems, and closed-door politics were factors negatively affecting the integrated water resource management projects. Pathirana et al. (2012) showed that often water professionals lack a practical problem-orientation because the traditional pedagogical approaches in water education are teacherrather than pupil-centered. ...
Many deltaic regions around the world are exploring or adopting planning initiatives to address the complex challenges associated with future economic development and climate change. A key feature is their adaptive nature, also coined as adaptive delta management (ADM). ADM refers to the development of strategies and measures that allow us to adapt to change over a long time. The Government of Bangladesh has recently approved the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (BDP2100) – a long-term adaptive strategy for sustainable water resources management. This study aims to explore the future capacity requirements from the perspective of water/delta professionals for implementing BDP2100. This calls for structural and institutional changes, and new skills and competencies to address the specific organisational and individual needs for effective delivery. A capacity development programme as an integral part of BDP2100 is currently under development. Adopting a qualitative approach, 16 key informant interviews were conducted with experts and professionals from the water and water-related sectors in Bangladesh. A thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data. The participants reflected that an integrated and adaptive system is critical for sustainable delta management; collaboration and coordination between water/delta professionals (e.g., policy planners, consultants, and academics) and delta expert stakeholders with deep local familiarity (e.g., communities, activists, and civil society members) were deemed essential. In addition, a powerful independent institutional body is recommended to provide stewardship and leadership in the implementation process. HIGHLIGHTS
Deltas have embraced adaptive delta management (ADM).;
BDP2100 – ADM blueprint for Bangladesh.;
Needs quantitative and qualitative changes in water sector capacity.;
Investigated capacity needs for the success of BDP2100 as perceived by sector experts.;
Integrated, adaptive approach, and interdisciplinary collaboration should be central in capacity building (CB).;
Independent institutional body should coordinate the sector CB needs.;
... A number of scholarly studies have been undertaken to assess the role of irrigation in relation to livelihoods of farmers. The finding of (Smith, 2004); (Akpabio, et al., 2007) and (Fatemeh, et al., 2009) reveals that with proper irrigation, the yield of many crops can be increased Similarly (Xie, et al., 2014) identified irrigation as a source of improving mechanism for agricultural productivity. In advanced farming systems, the dependency of crop yield solely limited to per unit of land (traditional perception) is replacing with a new paradigm which largely depends on water availability (Rahaman, et al., 2007). ...
The study aims to assess impact of MFSCs on the farming community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in terms of performances of two subgroups i.e. member and non-member farmers. A quantitative research design has been used with survey as strategy of inquiry conducted from 480 respondents across Swat, Mardan, DI Khan and Abbotabad districts. The study argues theoretically and indicates empirically that member respondents of MFSC were more competitive as compared to non-member farmers. In the same way the member farmers of MFSC were more prudent in terms of farm inputs usage and enjoyed higher yield across a variety of crops. The overall impact of MFSC is satisfactory, albeit room for improvement exists in areas such as by providing good variety seeds, proper fertilizer and effective utilization of combined harvesting machine. The study unveils the need to subsidize rent of agricultural machineries and prices of basic farm inputs through farmer centered policies. Further, the geographical scatterings of the MFSC keep farmers at a disadvantage which can be offset through establishment of sub-MFSC in vicinity of farmers across various districts. The study contributes to a better economic understanding of indigenous farming practices in vogue as used by autonomous and registered-member of MFSCs in local context.
Keywords: Economic assessment, Farming community, Model Farm Services Center, Farm inputs, Yield difference.
... In this regard, many projects have started to experiment with specific tools at a local scale while always keeping, as a framework and orientation, the IWRM fundamental principles ( Ahmadov, 2020 ;Godinez-Madrigal et al., 2019 ;Mazvimavi et al., 2008Mazvimavi et al., , 2008. As a result, scientists have often criticized the IWRM concept despite its popularity, particularly concerning its implementation in the real world ( Akpabio et al., 2007 ;Biswas, 2008 ;García, 2008 ;Petit and Baron, 2009 ). Thus, the main issues related to IWRM implementation are both theoretical and practical. ...
This paper reports the elaboration and application of an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) indicators framework designed to assess Water management system in the Meknes Region. The framework making up of twelve indicators was developed and applied to the R’Dom sub-basin. The methodology consisted of an indicator selection process to evaluate the inputs from water management stakeholders in the study area. Involved stakeholders in the consultation phase are accepted indicators as a framework of better understanding integrated water resource management. As a result, the IWRM indicator framework was developed accordingly, in order to integrate the relevant economic, social, and environmental aspects. The indicator’s assessment shows that all stakeholders have taken steps towards developing a system allowing the IWRM implementation. Nevertheless, significant additional effort is required, as some stakeholders need to set up a more efficient management system.
The evaluation of the indicators shows that three of the twelve indicators require a considerable effort, specifically, capacity building, funding, and management scale. The application of the indicators framework represents a contribution to identifying the shortcomings of the current water management system in the study area. The results obtained allow the stakeholders to act and trace the steps needed to be taken towards implementing an integrated water management system.
... The first suggestion is to promote cooperation among all three regions to explore both short-and long-term solutions (Bernal & Solis, 2000). Next, the ZRUMB needs to be more empowered by including the implementation of integrated water resources management, and constructing an enforcement mechanism incorporating legal, political, administrative and financial factors (Akpabio et al., 2007). Moreover, it is essential to establish formal cross-regional water transfer mechanisms in the basin to balance the interests of the riparian regions. ...
This article presents a model that simulates the dynamics of water demand, water supply and the instability of water allocation schemes at the national river basin scale during water scarcity. The Zhanghe River Basin in China is used as a case study to demonstrate the model. The optimum solution, minimizing water allocation instability, allocated most of the river’s water to the downstream sub-basin, with most of the water assigned for downstream use allocated to Anyang city. The results show that the socioeconomic–environmental dynamics of the stakeholders in a water-sharing problem should be taken into account when allocating water.
... The RBDAs aligned some of their policies and programmes with the neoliberal principles, and failed to recognize local climatic, socio-cultural and economic circumstances of the people rendering their implementation less successful. For instance, attempt at introducing cost-recovery on water and sanitation services in Nigeria's southern regions with abundance of seasonal rainfall produced different levels of resistance and sometimes conflicts (Akpabio et al., 2007). ...
... Sub-national governments face different water resources problems: relative scarcity (drought) in the north and relative abundance (flood) in the south, yet existing WaSH policies and programmes remain less sensitive. Akpabio et al. (2007) have linked the failure of the RBDA to the imposition of uniform policy and programme mandates without recognition of variations in local ecological circumstances. From our findings, it is practically difficult to coordinate the water resources of Nigeria for integrated management due to political and socio-cultural reasons. ...
... Although the Nigerian Water Resources law, in principle, vests all the water resources in the national government, translating this at project implementation becomes impracticable. Inter-state and inter-community conflicts over shared water resources have been discussed in Akpabio et al. (2007). The politically charged debates and ethnic comments associated with the new water resources Bill and suggestions for inter-catchment water transfer projects presents another case (Onyekakeyah, 2018). ...
Improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) is at the core of the Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but achieving this goal depends on the extent to which policy decisions reflect local science and circumstances. We examine the extent to which the WaSH sector is coordinated in Nigeria through interviews , workshops and literature reviews. Findings demonstrate that WaSH related agencies pursue conflicting goals shaped by international agenda, preferences of donors as well as economic and political interests of actors. These and related factors limit the capacity for coordination, innovation and knowledge sharing for evidence-based and home-grown policies.
... Effective water resources management is hinged on making the right policies to guide the management institutions, and this is one key element that is lacking in the Nigerian context. Various authors have cited weak legal and institutional framework as a significant setback in the way water is managed in Nigeria [8,14,15,16]. The weaknesses have resulted in public institutions that are crippled by overlapping functions (Table 1), lack of funding, vested political interests and corruption, technological deficit, and absence of a comprehensive database for planning to the end that the water resources of Nigeria are grossly under-utilized or wasted and further degraded by pollution [6,17,18]. ...
... Cherlet [42] has noted that over 80% of countries worldwide use the IWRM principles in their water laws while two-thirds of countries have developed a national IWRM plan since the turn of the century. Notwithstanding the widespread diffusion and adoption of IWRM around the world, questions are being asked about the efficacy of this single solution in all parts of the world with different economic, socio-cultural, and environmental experiences [14,35]. This calls for an assessment of the level of adoption and implementation of IWRM in Nigeria. ...
... This calls for an assessment of the level of adoption and implementation of IWRM in Nigeria. Akpabio et al. [14] and Biswas [35] argue that the heterogeneous nature of the country, including its different cultures, the skewed availability of natural resources, investment funds, management capacities, and institutional arrangements, may hinder the adoption of a single solution to a complex water resource challenge. In Nigeria, aside from these factors, governance, legal framework, decision-making processes and types, and effectiveness of institutions have geographical differences [14,35]. ...
This research aims to review the current state and limitations of water resources management in Nigeria and explore how adopting an integrated approach to water management can strengthen socio-economic development. As the support for integrated water resources management (IWRM) grows, it is necessary to explore how feasible it is in the Nigerian context especially with many Nigerian states facing water stress even with the country's substantial resources. This paper reviews literature related to the implementation of IWRM around the world with particular reference to developing countries in Africa and draws parallels between their experience and the possibilities that exist for IWRM in Nigeria. Progress on adopting IWRM in Nigeria is discussed and the pitfalls to implementing IWRM in practice are identified. Among the hindrances to effective water resources management in the country is the lack of good water governance, which has affected the quality of water legislation and institutions. This paper concludes that the slow progress of IWRM implementation in Nigeria is the result of an unclear framework for implementing IWRM in the country. This paper recommends an iterative approach to implementing IWRM that allows for adaptation and is tailored to solve specific water problems in Nigeria.
... Relative humidity is high for most of the year, and varies between about 85% and 50% in the rainy and driest months, respectively. Rainfall is generally heavy, especially in the coastal areas, often above 3000 mm/y (Akpabio, 2007;CRBDA, 2004). Daily temperature is about 26 °C on average and can rise as high as 33 °C. ...
The practical challenges of achieving sustainable wetland agriculture in Nigeria are examined. Three wetland communities were studied with observations, meetings, focus groups, interviews, a workshop and a review of the literature. We find that the available wetlands are greatly under-utilized due to meteorological and climate-related challenges, poor human capacities, absence of science-policy collaboration, complex land tenure regimes and a lack of supportive infrastructure. Climate change impact manifests in either excessive seasonal flooding or prolonged drought, with consequences for livelihoods. Improving the utilization and productivity of the wetlands will require strong public policies, appropriate investment, human capacity building, science-policy-society cooperation and supportive infrastructure. ARTICLE HISTORY
... By virtue of its creation, the RBDAs are part of the executive arm of government in Nigeria. Adeoti (2014) Akpabio et al. (2008) show that efforts at the CRBDA seem to be directed towards areas with less water problems (the lower part of the basin) rather than areas with acute water problems (the upper part of the basin). A possible explanation for this imbalance relates to corruption and the politicization of water projects. ...
... Cross River Basin (CRB) is located in the eastern part of Nigeria. It occupies most parts of Cross River State [37][38][39][40][41][42] . The basin is characterized by poor groundwater potentials. ...
This review attempted a detailed description of geological and hydrogeological configurations of Cross River and Imo-Akwa Ibo basins. It presented a synthesis of hydrochemistry and a description of the hydrogeological configurations of the two basins. Hydrogeologically, most areas under Cross River and Imo-Kwa-Ibo are poor in terms of groundwater potentials. Based on the hydrochemistry, the basins hold water of excellent quality. Groundwater sources fall in soft to moderately hard classes. The entire sources groundwater has a TDS concentration of less than 500 mg/l. Groundwater classification based on electrical conductivity (EC) showed EC levels were less than 500 µS/cm. Most of the examined cations and anions are within WHO reference guidelines for drinking water quality. However, no broad analysis of water quality based on water quality indices. Also, studies modeling pollution or the impact of land use changes on groundwater quality are wanting. Thus, further analysis of the hydrochemistry of groundwater aquifers is recommended.
