President Muhammadu Buhari says the shrinkage of Lake Chad was one of the main factors responsible for insurgency and socio-economic unrest in the Lake Chad Basin Commission member countries.
Buhari, who disclosed this during the International Conference on Saving the Lake Chad held in Abuja on Wednesday, said the negative effects of the shrinkage of Lake Chad are indeed enormous.
According to him, the Lake Chad which is one of the oldest Lakes in Africa is shared by Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
The president added that it is a source of livelihood to over 45 million people living in the Basin in the areas of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock.
He added that the Lake Chad region was formerly an “oasis in the desert”, a hub of economic activities and food security.
The President further noted that farmers, fishermen, herdsmen and traders were happy because business was booming, adding that the happiness and contentment contributed to the stability of the sub-region.
Buhari, however, observed that, “unfortunately, today that is all history. The “oasis in the desert” is just a desert now, due to the drying up of the Lake Chad’’.
He said this had resulted in dire consequences for the inhabitants of the basin.
The President quoted the reports of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:
“Food security has deteriorated, with more than seven million people in the sub-region facing the threat of famine and half a million children suffering from severe malnutrition”.
Buhari added: “Fish varieties are long gone leaving the fishermen jobless. Farmers and herdsmen struggle over the little water left.
“Herdsmen migrate in search of greener pastures resulting in conflicts.
“Our youths are joining terrorist groups because of lack of jobs and difficult economic conditions. This has resulted in serious instability in the sub-region.
“The negative effects of the shrinkage of Lake Chad are indeed enormous.’’
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