Author(s): Gloria Appiah-Sefaha; B.; Huang Jingyu; Josephine Osei-Kwarteng
Linked Author(s): Tesfaye Belay Senbeta
Keywords: Water resources management; Benin; Reuse; Conservation; Trans-boundary
Abstract: Benin, located in West Africa is endowed with several water resources including rivers, lakes and lagoons. The country as such, has not experienced any major drought over the years and predictions even are that, it might not occur in the next 20years. In spite of all these available resources, the percentage supply to both rural and urban dwellers are below average and usage is also below 3% due to management inefficiencies. The objectives of the research were to identify some of the issues and challenges faced in the management of the water resources as well as outline some strategies to improve upon it. From field data and literature, it was identified that challenges such as bureaucracies, over-dependency on external donors, poor water conservation practices, climate change and trans-boundary water governance are those faced by managers of the resource. Defining the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) policy to clearly outline duties of the various stakeholders; stakeholder involvement during planning and implementation processes; more budgetary allocation to the sector by the local government and the harnessing of grey, storm and waste water reuse as practiced in Namibia, are some of the measures that can be put in place to improve the system. .
Year: 2013