Despite the fact that the multi-stakeholder participatory approach was slow, expensive and time-consuming, it helped mobilise partnership and confidence with Ministries and Government Agencies, decentralized Local Government Authorities (LGAs), NGOs and CBOs, and also improved communication between stakeholders at all levels. There was limited communication between the research institutions and public policy-managers and therefore work was needed to improve the exchange of information and capacity-building. Public participation has generated tangible benefits, fostering cooperation in the process of developing and implementing strategic actions.
Stakeholder collaboration has resulted in a Catchment Management Plan, a Water Charter, new institutions, and the empowerment of stakeholders to participate in planning and management of water resources to provide the necessary capacity to respond to stresses and shocks. The reform of water governance is enabling the transparent coordination of water resources development, including remediation of degraded ecosystems and, eventually, restoration of the river flow patterns. Dialogue has reduced the number of cases of conflict and governments have pledged millions of dollars in new investment for basin restoration through the Hadejia-Jama’are-Komadugu-Yobe Basin Trust Fund. With the changes underway in the basin, governments and communities are acquiring capacities to both learn and cope with uncertain future events.
All these actions have contributed to achieving equity of allocation, efficiency of use and overall sustainable development in the basin.