Handover at the Executive Secretariat of the Niger Basin Authority: A new era begins under the chairmanship of the Minister of Environment, Hydraulics and Sanitation of Niger, NBA Supervising Minister, representing the Chairman of the Council of Ministers.
An official handover ceremony was held on July 24, 2025 at the headquarters of the Niger Basin Authority marking the transfer of responsibility between the outgoing Ag. Executive Secretary, Mr. ZINSOU Didier Sèyivè, and the incoming Executive Secretary, Mr. HOUANYE Kocou Armand, a Beninese national, for a term of four (4) years. 
The ceremony was presided over by His Excellency, the Minister of Environment, Hydraulics and Sanitation (MEHA) of Niger, Col. MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE, In attendance were the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister of Niger, the Diplomatic Corps of some NBA member countries, Technical and Financial Partners, technical staff from the Ministry of Environment, Hydraulics and Sanitation (MEHA), NBA staff members, and several distinguished guests.
In his inauguration speech, the Minister praised the commitment and efforts of the outgoing Executive Secretary, highlighting his decisive role in ensuring the continuity of the Institution’s activities during the transition period. He also expressed his trust in the new Executive Secretary to drive renewed momentum, capable of addressing the challenges relating to sustainable natural resource management, regional cooperation, and fund mobilization.
In his address, the outgoing Ag. Executive Secretary expressed his gratitude to the government and partners for their support throughout the transition period. He then symbolically handed over the files to his successor, thereby marking the transition in a friendly atmosphere of mutual respect. 
For his part, the incoming Executive Secretary reaffirmed his commitment to building on and strengthening the achievements made, while calling for enhanced cooperation with member countries, Technical and Financial Partners, and all stakeholders. He emphasized the need to consolidate governance mechanisms, intensify the search for innovative funding, and strengthen institutional capacities. 
This ceremony was also an opportunity to reassert the Institution’s strategic role in the integrated management of shared resources and the implementation of regional environmental policies. It ended on a note of hope and collective mobilization for a sustainable future for the basin.

As part of the implementation of a regional Early Warning System (EWS) for the Niger Basin, the city of Kankan will be hosting a national workshop from 23rd to 27th July, 2025 to validate the flood-prone area map on the Milo stream, a tributary of the Niger River. Supported by the Programme for Integrated Development and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Niger Basin (PIDACC/NB). This initiative aims to build people’s resilience to recurring floods and droughts. 
To this end, a mission from the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) comprising 4 Experts of the Niger Basin Observatory (NBO) and 2 Experts of PIDACC will take a trip to Kankan, where the validation workshop will be held. It will gather 56 participants, including representatives of Local Authorities, the press, the National Hydrological Service (NHS), the National Meteorology Directorate (DMN), the General Department of the Guinean Disaster and Environmental Risk Management Agency (DG/ENGUICHE) and the National Disaster Management Department. The expected results of the workshop are to[HS1.1]:
- Officially validate the flood zone map and its instructions for use;
- Train users in the use of cartographic data;
- Identify the roles of the various EWS players in flood prevention.

These key stakeholders will work together to validate the Kankan flood-prone area map drawn up by the Consultant and define the roles of each actor in managing the risks. In addition to the workshop, the mission will conduct a number of key activities, including: 
- A visit to flood-prone areas to gain a better understanding of the issues at stake at the local level and check the relevance of the map; 
- Training and sensitisation sessions for stakeholders on how to use the map and raise their awareness of flood risks;
- Technical meetings to build on experiences and define best practices for using the risk management map, and;
- A working session with the Fomi Dam Project team.

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