PMB expresses worries over Shrinking Lake Chad

The shrinking Lake Chad will continue to fuel more illegal migrations, banditry and provide willing hands for terrorism, President Muhammadu Buhari, said on Monday.

He called for more commitment from the international community on redirecting water to the Lake Chad.

The president, who received Letters of Credence from the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, Philip Baker, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday said that majority of the people have lost their means of livelihood.

He said: “In 1920’s, an academic rightly predicted that except there’s a redirection of water to Lake Chad, it will dry up.

“Now whenever I go for any global meeting or visit a country, I will always draw the world’s attention to the adverse effect of climate change on the lake, and the resulting negative effects.’’

The president urged the Canadian government to support the on-going efforts to divert water from the Congo River to the lake.

“Canada has the capacity to help us. The lake is now less than ten per cent of its normal size. A redirection will help our people from getting into the Mediterranean Sea,’’ he added.

He noted Nigeria and Canada had good relations dating back to the early 60’s when Nigeria gained independence, commending the country for “its vast resource utilisation and solid political background.’’

In his remarks, the Canadian High Commissioner commended Buhari for providing leadership in the country, and championing the cause for the replenishing of the Lake Chad Basin.

He noted that the Canadian Governor General, Julie Payette, had presented a picture taken from space of the vanishing lake to the President when she visited recently.

Baker said more than 11,000 Nigerians were studying in Canada, with many residing in the country, assuring the President that majority of the students return to build and invest their knowledge in the development of Nigeria.

The Canadian High Commissioner said he would work towards improving relations between both countries on migration, education, entrepreneurship training, mining, renewable energy and Information Technology.