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LAKE CHAD BASIN COMMISSION

Directorate General of Operations

2010 PROGRESS REPORT AND 2011PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES

56TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

October 2010

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General introduction

I: 2010Progress report

I.1: State of implementation of Resolutions and Decisions

I.2: State of implementation of 2010programme of activities.

II : 2011 programme of activities

Conclusion

III. Project of memos (4) and information notes (7)

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General introduction

The 2010 progress report and 2011 programme of activities reflect the particular context which has marked the life of the Commission during 2010. Or the implementation of activities decided by the 55th session of the Council of Ministers. It should be recalled that the new management team of the LCBC was appointed on the 15th January 2010 and called upon to assume duty on the 1st March 2010. Financial constraints which were even the subject of a resolution compelled the Executive Secretary to postpone the assumption of duty for a month later or the 1st April 2010.

As the renewal of the Executive Secretariat is close to 70%, it is

understandable that a period of adaptation is needed to lay the foundation of a necessary cohesion for teamwork in a bid to meet the set objectives.

On the other hand, the second phase of the recruitment was left as well as the

termination of employment contracts of many staff members. We can say that these two activities were successfully conducted. On the 31st July 2010, staff members who were not recruited as part of the restructuring process left the LCBC with all ingredients to start a new self-employment career while the new staff members were called upon to assume duty on the 16th August 2010.

Indeed, the new LCBC is really operational since September 2010, a few

weeks to the holding of this session.

It is therefore against a background of notable structural changes, functional and operational long transition that we approach you for the approval of the 2010 progress report and 2011programme of activities.

The Executive Secretariat relies on your comprehension and indulgence to

examine and assess efforts made in connection with items developed above. It is also aware of your accountability spirit to approve and recommend memos tabled to you as this will provide it with sufficient means to meet the objectives enshrined in the 2025 Vision.

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I. State of implementation of Decisions and Resolutions

I.1: State of implementation of decisions issued by the 12th Summit Four (4) decisions were taken during the 12th Summit of Heads of State and

Government of the LCBC member States held in Abuja in March 27, 2008, such as: - Decision on the regular payment of annual contributions and

contribution arrears

Despite the decision N0. 3 taken by Heads of State and Government during the 12th Summit held in Abuja on the 27th March 2008 about the regular payment of annual contributions and arrears by the end of 2009, the financial situation of the LCBC is still precarious.

As of August 30, the total amount of arrears is estimated at: 4, 943, 478,728 CFA

F and distributed as follows:

- Cameroon : 2, 019, 860, 958 CFA F - Niger : 450, 894, 002 CFA F - Nigeria : 1, 486, 789, 006 CFA F - Chad : 353, 097, 372 CFAF - CAR : 592, 837, 390 CFA F - Libya : 40, 000, 000 CFA F

- On the membership of Libya to the LCBC

The membership of Libya was effective during the 12th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the LCBC member States held on the 27th March 2008 in Abuja, Nigeria. Libyan experts actively took part in all meetings organized by the LCBC.

- On a proposal of a new scale of distribution - The Executive Secretariat proposed a new scale of distribution,

which was approved by the 54th Session of the Council of Ministers held in Abuja, Nigeria in 2009.

- The new scale of contributions of LCBC member States is as follows:

Cameroon: 20 %, Niger: 7 %, Nigeria: 40 %, Chad: 11 %, CAR: 4 %, Libya: 18

%

- On the renewal of Mandates of the Executive Secretary and assistant

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Executive Secretary

Dr. Abdullahi Umar GANDUJE is the new Executive Secretary who was

designated by Nigeria. He assumed duty in 2009.

I.2: State of implementation of Resolutions of the 55th session of the Council of Ministers.

Four (4) resolutions were issued by the 55th session of the Council of Ministers and are as follows:

- Resolution on the adoption of 2010 programme of activies and

budget of the LCBC ; with a budget which stands at

3, 209, 976, 106 CFA F of which 1, 846, 078, 585 CFA F is meant for

the functioning and 1, 363, 897, 521 CFA F for the development.

Within the framework of the implementation of this resolution, the

Executive Secretary toured member States to brief on resolutions

issued by the last session of the Council of Ministers and urged

member States to pay out their contributions to the 2010 budget as well

as arrears.

As of the 20th October 2010, the total amount paid by member States is

estimated at 4, 582, 055, 912 CFA F distributed as follows:

Cameroon : 350, 000, 000 CFA F (as advance payment of its

arrears)

Libya : 1, 052, 725, 756 CFA F (2010 contribution and 2009

arrears)

Niger : 224, 698, 328 CFA F (2010 contribution)

Nigeria : 2, 788, 033, 176 CFA F (paid all arrears of

contribution)

Chad : 83, 299, 326 CFA F (paid total amount of contribution)

CAR : has not paid any contribution for more than ten years

- Resolution on the adoption of the report of the consultant about the selection of candidates in the positions of Directors within the Executive Secretariat of the LCBC

Through this resolution, Commissioners approved of the recruitment of candidates, who were recommended by the Consultant and ordered their immediate assumption

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of duty.

Various Directors assumed duty except the Director of Human Resources who failed to do so complaining about the low pay in the LCBC and the Director of Water Resources and Environment who presented certain conditions to assume duty, namely, the termination of his contract with his current employer, payment of an amount worth three months of salary to his employer for the termination of the contract, a mission to N’Djamena to assess working conditions in the LCBC before he approves of the LCBC contract and assume duty later, etc. Resolution on the payment of contributions and arrears of member States to the budget of the LCBC Commissioners decided after the holding of the 55th session on the 15th January 2010 in N’Djamena to:

- take all necessary steps in their respective administrations for the

discharge of arrears of their countries;

- ensure that their respective countries pay their contributions to the

2010 budget of the Executive Secretariat within 3 months as from this

session ;

- Resolution on the projects and construction works on the watercourses of the Lake Chad Basin.

As part of the implementation of this resolution, the Executive Secretariat contacted relevant authorities in Nigeria to hold talks on the project of constructing the Kafin Zaki dam. It was agreed that an environmental impact assessment should be conducted before any activity on the dam in order to get an idea of the impact of achieving such a project. Studies are underway for an optimal management of the Maga dam in Cameroon.

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II. State of implementation of 2010 programme of activities. Directorate of Planning, Follow-up and Evaluation of Projects

- Counterparts payment of projects

- Functioning of the school at the academic level

- Study on the academic reform of the regional school of Agriculture of N’Gala

- Organization of exams and admission of students for the 2010 – 2011 academic year

- Regular follow-up of current projects activities: AIDS, Prodebalt, etc

- Renovation of the Commission Headquarters and additional works on

the new site of the regional school of N’Gala

- Non conducted statutory meetings

Directorate of Water Resources and Environment

- Collection of hydrometeorological data

- Analysis, verification and registration of hydrometeorological data and

constitution of a data base under Hydraccess ;

- Setting up of a new data base under Hydraccess through

GIRE/LCBC/EU and LCBC/GTZ projects

- Analysis of data measurements network and proposal on network

improving;

- Preparation of agenda and DAO for measurements networks

improving ;

- Elaboration or adaptation of the Template rain-ETP-discharge (GR2M)

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and development of a template of water allocation.

- Current state of measurements networks in the Lake Chad basin;

- Elaboration of ToRs for the establishment of an information system on

water (SIE) which will be financed by the FAE. The ToRs for the

recruitment of a consultant have been elaborated and forwarded to the

FAE.

- organization within the framework of water transfer project and water

charter of workshop on different reports examination and adoption

(launching, periodical N0.1 and planning), Visit of similar projects in

Canada is achieved, creation of an interministerial committee of the

operational project follow-up in the CAR.

- The validation and adoption of the Charter did not comply with the 2010

programme of activities. Extraordinary session and Summit should be

planned for its adoption

- Three sites of lead projects have been identified; TORs and tender

documents for the recruitment of a consultant ahead of the formulation

of lead projects are elaborated and people invited as well as the

evaluation of ongoing proposals for the award of contracts to one or

more consultants.

- Types of sanitary, chemical, technological and natural risks were

counted.

- Elaboration of a scale of identification of multipurpose development

sites; Identification and provisional selection of relevant sites to the set

objectives.

- Participation in several regional workshops on information and

experience sharing

- Ongoing definition of an emergency plan of priority actions;

Exchange with the CICOS, COMIFAC, UA.BIRA, CEA

Support of the FAO

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- Elaboration of the institutional and legislative diagnosis and its

validation by a regional workshop;

- Elaboration of possible options of the Charter and their validation by the

LCBC and member States (national workshops in four out of the six

member States).

- Ongoing Elaboration of a draft Charter to be submitted to member

States for validation by national workshop. Ongoing elaboration of

technical exhibits.

Directorate of Capacity building, Information and Data base

- Production of information mediums (brochures, inserts, posters,

specialized directories, bibliographies, etc.) ;

- Development of the LCBC website and Intranet;

- Vsat bandwidth rental and maintenance;

- Purchase of a high resolution multifunction scanner ;

- Purchase of antivirus software ;

- Purchase of various office computer equipment and consumables ;

- Development of the data base and launching of digital network of

information exchange among member States ;

- Capacity building of stakeholders and actors (organization of seminars

and workshop of information, awareness raising on climatic changes) ;

- Organization of press trip to the Lake Chad

Directorate of Basin Observatory

- Elaboration and dissemination of a reference documentary of the Observatory

including the legal framework, Mission, Products, Partners. The document

should be disseminated online in the official website

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- Elaboration of the hydro meteorological monthly bulletin of the LCBC (2

ISSUES are already edited). Le bulletin du mois de juin et juillet 2010 ont été

édités grâce à l’appui financier de BGR ;

- Recent images have been ordered by the GTZ project within the framework of initial data collection for the development of the Lake Chad mapping.

- Annual evaluation of bush fire in the Lake Chad ; the 2007-2009 analysis is done, a report is being elaborated with the support of the GTZ,

- Evaluation of seasonal variations of vegetation and water resources in the Lake Chad

- Negotiation on equipment delivery is underway with the African Union

with the framework of the Project UA, AMESD Lake Chad Basin.

Directorate of Corporate Services, Communication, and Protocol

Assisting the ES in his capacity of Chief of protocol:

- Welcoming and guiding the ES guests in coordination with his agenda,

- Organizing different activities, of which planning, welcoming and proceedings

as well as top ranking representatives visits,

- Ensuring and promoting an efficient communication between the Commission

and its entities at the political level, in close collaboration with relevant technical

departments.

- Coordinating the logistics for events and supervising all protocol issues. -Coordinating and supervising corporate services staff.

Extra-budgetary expenditures

Some factors and variables occurred throughout the year and compelled the Executive Secretariat to embark on extra-budgetary expenditures as follows: 1. The construction of the fence and the laying of paving stones as well as the rehabilitation of the head office of the Commission in a bid to abide by the decision of Chadian authorities to lay paving stones and embellish the external view of buildings located along major streets of the capital city ; 2. The relocation of the Ngala school to its new site led to additional emergency works : fences of dormitories, water supply, beds, matresses. 3. The implementation of the LCBC reform entailed expenditures, which were not

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planned in the 2010 budget: the payment of gratuities to junior staff whose employment contract with the LCBC was terminated, the equipment of offices of the Directors General, Directors, intermediate staff. All expenditures and needs tabled to you for consideration as part of the 2010 budget

are estimated at 611,324,265 FCFA

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Activities of PROJECTS :

Water Charter Project

- Report on the legal and institutional diagnosis adopted by all member States during a regional workshop ;

- Elaboration of possible options of the Charter and presentation to the LCBC and member States for the selection of options ;

- Elaboration of the draft Charter and its exhibits underway ;

- Preparation of national workshops and validation of the Water Charter.

European Union Project

- Analysis of hydrologic and meteorological data of the Chari-Logone system (Chad and Cameroon),

- Constitution of a new database to be submitted to the LCBC

- Preparation of terms of references and tender documents (DAO) according to the EU norms about the acquisition, repair and installation of equipment for the data collection ;

- Hydrologic and planning modeling of water sampling ;

- Management of sanitary and chemical risks :

Types of risks identified include: chemical, sanitary, technological and natural.

The lack of data on various themes is almost absolute. Adjustments were needed to define a methodology, which is adapted and lead to operational results as part of the management of water resources.

- Identification of three sites of lead projects, elaboration of terms of reference and tender documents for the hiring of consultants ; selection of consultants and award of the contact by mutual agreement

- Revision and change of TORs of the study on the strategy of the fluvial and lakeside transport system and elaboration of tender documents to relaunch the recruitment of a Consultant following a new list of Consulting firms in collaboration with the DUE ;

- Multipurpose development project :

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- Identification of needs of the LCBC in terms of legal advice and determination of duties and responsibilities of the LCBC’s legal adviser

Project of the fight against STIs/HIV/AIDS

- Tender documents for the construction of offices and acquisition of

incinerators for Chad, Niger and CAR have been made public and transmitted to the AfDB on September 13, 2010 for consideration (reply still awaited) ;

- Tender documents for the construction of offices and acquisition of

incinerators for Nigeria and Cameroon were advertised in late August 2010 but are yet to be analysed ;

- Acquisition and distribution of biomedical equipment in the 5 States in

January and March 2010 ;

- Negotiation and purchase of drugs in Chad and CAR-based stores. The delivery of drugs is underway in health centres. Talks are underway for Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria ;

Purchase and distribution of female condoms in member States. The purchase of male condoms is underway;

- The official in charge of the follow-up and the webmaster were recruited in April 2010;

- The radio file was finalized but the supervision mission of the AfDB

cancelled this activity in March 2010 because of lack of funds to

maintain the radio upon completion of the project ;

- The accounting system was set up ;

- Recurrent accounts of member States were provided with the LCBC

counterpart to the project ;

- The 2009 audit file was finalized and transmitted to the AfDB on the 4th

September for consideration. The audit will start on the 30th

September 2010 ;

- The follow-up of activities of member States is underway.

Water transfer project from Oubangui to the Lake Chad:

- The project is being carried out normally in conformity with the contract:

* Organization of workshops,

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* production and adoption of various reports : launching, newsletter n°1

and planning;

- Visit of similar projects in Canada ;

- Setting up of an Interministerial follow-up Committee of the project in

the CAR ;

- Signing of a supplemental agreement to take into account

preoccupations of CICOS member States (environmental impact

assessment in the Congo Basin) ;

- Support of the IUCN and FAO to the LCBC for the setting up of an

international panel of experts for the follow-up of projects whose

negotiation is underway.

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II. 2011 Programme of activities

Two fundamental ideas support the elaboration of the 2011 programme of activities. Conservation of the main items of the 2010 programme for former Directorates since

it was not implemented because of lack of time to fine-tune the institutional reform

and install all newly recruited staff and the inclusion of activities of the new

directorates.

General Directorate of Operations

- Payment of the counterpart

- Construction of residences of the Directors

- Participation in conferences, fora and relevant workshops

Directorate of the Planning of Follow-up and Evaluation of Projects

- Normal running of the school,

- Elaboration of the Investment Plan of the SAP;

- Elaboration of sectorial projects ;

- Organisation of the donors round table conference ;

- planning, follow-up and evaluation of activities underway ;

- Organisation of statutory meeting of national experts in the protection of

plant life, breeding and water ;

- Organisation of coordination and exchange meetings on the LCBC

projects ;

- Elaborate project forms ;

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- Participation to conferences, fora and relevant workshops ;

- Follow-up of the implementation of PAN GIRE in the basin ;

- Elaboration of an investment plan;

- Research of fundings for the achievement of projects ;

- Supervise good practices in fishing, agrosylvopastoral and

management of protected areas of the basin.

Directorate of Water Resources and Environment

- Measurement of water levels, maintenance and follow-up of piezometres

- Collection, updating and processing of data

- Updating of data bank and a management system and control of water resources

- Develop sustainable strategies in terms of water resources

- Installation of the PCD left and maintenance of the 6 other

- Coordination of the elaboration, validation and adoption of a draft water Charter of

cross-border water

- Organisation of national and regional workshops of the validation and

popularisation of the water Charter;

- Organisation of the meeting of the Technical Committee for the harmonisation of the

water management policy in the Lake Chad Basin ;

- Setting up of an information system on water

- Elaboration and achievement of the project Lake Chad Hycos

- Data collection and analysis on sources of pollution

- Setting up of a strategic framework of management of chemical products (POPs,

PIC) and biological (space-consuming weeds) in the basin

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- Elaboration of a hydrologic directory

- Organisation of the Technical Committee meeting

- Setting up of an information system on water

- Elaboration and achievement of the project Lake Chad Hycos

- - Setting up of a strategic framework of management of chemical products (POPs,

PIC) and biological (space-consuming weeds) in the basin

Directorate of Capacity Building , Information and Follow-up of Data

- Development of data base and setting up of an information sharing digital network

among member States;

- Acquisition of new documents (books, specialized reviews, subscription to major

national newspapers of member States) ;

- Edit a collection of decisions, resolutions and recommendations of Summits and

ministerial Council of the LCBC from 1988 to 2008 ;

- Achievement of an online library;

- Acquisition of the software programme for the data base;

- Production of information aids (leaflets, inserts, posters, plaquettes,directories

specialized directories, bibliographies, etc.) ;

- Organisation of relocated Lake Chad Day ;

- Organisation of a press trip to Lake Chad ;

- Writing and printing of the quarterly review on the LCBC, CBLT News Magazine ;

- Various acquisitions of web related equipment, intranet.

Directorate of the observatory of the basin

- Setting up of the Observatory LACBO : Computer equipment, stationery, spare

parts, Portal of the LACBO (Needs in terms of technology and information system

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to optimize the management of data (software programmes, satellite images,

etc…)

- Conception and development of a data base coupled to SIG: Elaboration of a

metadata base, development of the environmental information system, Creation

among technical services

- Synthesis of natural and human resources of the Lake Chad basin: Land use,

populations, road, communication, etc.

- Elaboration of thematic bulletins : hydrometeorologic report , report on the state of the

environment of the basin, reports and notes on the international political and

environmental trends ;

- Capacity building : Cooperation with observatories of the basin organisms,

elaboration of a memorandum of understanding among technical services of

member States and LACBO to boost data sharing, installation and maintenance

of an AMESD-LCBC station.

Directorate of Regional Integration, Cooperation and Security - Installation of a reliable communication system (radio) in the premises of the

LCBC like what is at the agenda in other international organisations: Talki-Walkie

may be distributed to some staff members. This aims to secure all staff member,

get in touch with any staff member at any time for an assignment, inform all staff

members about measures taken and groupings in case of some special

circumstances

- Participate in conferences as part of integration, and cooperation and manage

meetings for member States.

- Visit various riparian localities of the Lake Chad to meet with security services and

water and forest staff of member States in a bid to identify different security

problems. This will help elaborate an action plan , which will enable to better

manage the situation.

Directorate of Corporate Services of Communication and Protocol - Organise staff training workshops on protocol rules ;

- Capacity building workshops of focal points and protocol officer ;

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- Purchase of communication equipment: Camera, projector, photographic camera,

photo printer, etc…

- Provision of the Conference hall with an up-to-date simultaneous interpretation

material

- Follow-up of the sensitization and popularization process of the Water Charter

Directorate of Finance and Equipment

- Physical inventory and market valuing of all assets of the LCBC.

- Setting up of a back up safeguarding system and renting of a securement site

- Diagnosis and installation of an internal network within the LCBC

- 2010 financial audits

- Acquisition of stationery

- Vehicle loan to Directors

2011 Projects’ Programme of activities : 1. Project of adoption and popularization of a water Charter in the Lake Chad Basin (FAE)

- Elaboration of a Water Charter with its technical exhibits by experts of member

States and Commissioners ;

- Adoption of the Charter by Heads of State ; - Organise a regional validation workshop of the Charter ;

- Organise national and local workshops to disseminate and popularize the Charter.

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2. Integrated Management of Cross-border basin resources in Africa– component of the Lake Chad Basin (E.U) - Setting up of tecnical and institutional sub-branches in the LCBC member

States ;

- Setting up of the GIRE process in the basin ; - Development of the GIRE participatory approach;

- Acquisition and installation of measurement equipment and rehabilitation of

measurement networks of water level and discharges ;

- Achievement of three lead projects to optimise and manage water in the basin ;

- Feasibility study of a development strategy of transport systems on rivers and

Lake Chad;

- Study on multipurpose developments ; - Setting up of a water management tool;

- Institutional reinforcement of the LCBC namely the legal aspect.

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3. Sustainable Management of Water Resources of the Lake Chad Basin (GTZ/BGR)

- Build the capacity of the LCBC experts in the preparation and

evaluation of data (surface water, satellite image, climate) ;

- Assist the LCBC in the flow of information to experts, ministries of

member countries, newspapers, television channels and members of

the public concerned;

- Assist and support the LCBC in the restructuring process (for instance:

General Directorate of Administration and Finance) ;

- Enhance the communication among member States of the LCBC

4. Support Project to the Lake Chad Basin Initiative for the reduction of vulnerability and risks related to STIs/HIV/AIIDS.

Follow-up of construction work of 5 offices for the supervision and enhancement of health centres (1per country), the acquisition of 50 incinerators (10 per country) and 5 family health centres in Niger ;

Delivery of drugs in 50 health centres (10 per country) ;

Purchase and distribution of male and female condoms in member States ;

Acquisition and distribution of teaching aids to NGOs of member States ;

Provision of NGOs with awareness equipment in lieu of community radios ;

Follow-up of activities of member States (marketing campaign, sensitization of populations, HIV screening campaigns etc) ;

Preparation and holding of a plea seminar for sub-regional leaders ;

Conduct of the 2010 audit;

Talks mission at the temporary AfDB head office;

Preparation and holding of the 41st meeting of the steering committee ;

Preparation and holding of the coordination and talks meetings among CNLS/PNLS of EMI ;

Recruitment of a technical assistant for the social mobilization (1 per country).*

Provision of bank accounts of member States for their functioning ;

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5. Sustainable Development Programme of the Lake Chad Basin (PRODEBALT)

- Recovery of degraded land

- Works of DRS/CES ;

- Regeneration of pastoral ecosystems ;

- Sand dune fixation works;

- Fight against space-consuming species and pollution ;

- Conservation of the biodiversity ;

- Integrated Management of water resources ;

- Sustainable management of forest resources ;

- Agro-forestry plantations ;

- Development and rational management of aquatic resources ;

- Alternative Initiatives of sustainable local development ;

- Rehabilitation of some offices of the LCBC and national coordinations;

- Acquisition of vehicles, computer and office equipment ;

- Capacity building of the Executive Secretariat with 2 technical

assistants in water resources and planning.

Conclusion So, the draft development budget of the Lake Chad Basin Commission for 2011 is estimated at 10,688,500,000 F CFA of which 2,522,500,000 F CFA come from the contribution of member States and 8,166,000,000 FCFA from the development partners. This budget increases by 46 % with respect to 2010; this increase is due to the inclusion of the 2010 non executed budget of former directorates and the creation of new directorates (10) as a result of the setting up of the new organizational chart. After the installation of the new management team, we think that conditions are available to start implementing planned activities. It is therefore against a background of this profound structural innovation that we are submitting the 2011 programme of activities for approval.

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III. Draft memos and information notes

III.1 : Memos (5) Memo 1 : Revision of the staff rules and regulations Memo 2 : on the attendance bonus of Commissioners and national experts Memo 3 : Salary and allowances of the ES Memo 4: Conclusions of the workshop on the boundary demarcation in the Lake Chad

III.2 : Information notes

1. Situation of the feasibility study of the water transfer from Oubangui to the Lake Chad 2. Information note on the « Project of adoption and popularisation of a water charter of the Lake Chad basin ».

3. Note on the World Forum on Sustainable Development for the safeguarding of the Lake Chad from 29 to 31 October 2010 4. Academic Reform of the Ngala regional School 5. Information note on the Manuel of Administrative, Financial and Accounting procedures.

6. Study on the mechanism of self-financing of the LCBC 7. Implementation of the institutional Reform