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Integrated water resources management in the cross river basin, Nigeria: How can we reconcile institutional boundaries and interests?

Abstract This paper examines the practice of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Cross River Basin (CRB), Nigeria. Nigerian Government Decree 101 of 1993 vests all rights and control of Nigeria's water resources in the federal government, with the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) mandated with the power of administration within its area of jurisdiction. Considering the various other agencies and bodies with similar management interests in the basin, this paper examines the implication of institutional boundary problems. A wide range of methods, including semi‐structured interviews, stakeholder meetings, observations and secondary data were used to collect data. In the result, a complicated system of institutional arrangements was identified at vertical and horizontal levels, with similar management interests and functions creating coordination problems for the CRBDA. The paper traces these problems to weak and inadequate legal, legislative and enforcement apparatus for IWRM. In addition, many other administrative and political issues such as corruption and insufficient understanding of IWRM were noted to be accountable to and complicating the observed problems. The paper calls for urgent institutional reforms in the basin area.