OMM WMO / 10 TH MEETING OF THE WHYCOS INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY GROUP SUPPORT TO VOLTA BASIN AUTHORITY ON THE VOLTA HYCOS PROJECT 10 TH 11 TH OCTOBER 2013, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND Dr. Jacob W. TUMBULTO (Volta Basin Authority)
PRESENTATION PLAN 1. Introduction to the Volta Basin 2. Project Information 3. Project Objectives and Components 4. Project Progress 5. Observations 6. Recommendations
1. Introduction: Volta Basin Member Countries BENIN BURKINA FASO COTE D IVOIRE GHANA MALI TOGO
1. Introduction: Riparian Countries Volta basin
1. Introduction: Surface Waters Subbasin Area (km2) Contribution of MAF (%) White Volta Black Volta 104,749 20 149,015 18 Oti 72,778 26 Others 36
2. PROJECT INFORMATION The overall development objective of the project is to support the implementation of the VBA Convention; The Volta HYCOS Project was initially funded by the French GEF (FFEM, 1.0M), 2006 2009); The AWF grant is ( 1.2M) and in kind contributions from the six VBA Member countries ( 200,000); IRD ( 870,000), the 2iE, Ouagadougou ( 150,000); Project duration 22 months (has been extended); VBA is the Executing Agency of the Project and WMO the Supervising Agency.
3. Specific Objectives of Project To reinforce the technical and institutional capacities of the NHSs (National Hydrological Services) of the Volta Basin member countries To strengthen the hydrological observing networks, especially by using the various remote measuring technology options To promote the development of national and regional databases
3. Main Components of Project 1. Improvement of Hydrometric Network 2. Development of Hydrological Information System (HIS) 3. Training and sensitization 4. Capacity building of VBA
4. Project Progress Procurement of vehicles completed; for VBA, Ghana and Togo Procurement of hydrological equipment: about to sign contract with suppliers; (Sutron Corporation and SEBA Hydrometrie) Procurement of computer equipment: about to publish national call for tenders; Recruitment of consultants for studies and training in progress; Installation of the hydrological equipment already supplied is in progress but very slow; Hydrological data base management software acquired for countries; training on same was organised for the countries and VBA but further training needed; HIS developed from the historic data acquired from countries is functional and on line (www.abv volta.org/voltahycos).
5. Observations ADCP supplied to the countries are not effectively in use despite repeated training; DCPs were supplied and training on installation carried out both by Niger HYCOS and Volta HYCOS; Yet some of the hydrological equipment already supplied to the countries have not yet been installed, possibly due to lack of familiarity with the equipment among other facts; Only about six DCPs with tele transmission capabilities have been installed in the Volta basin; (Next supply of DCPs includes installation as well)
5. Observations The following are the hydrological data base management software in use in the Volta Basin Member countries: HYDROM, HYDRACCESS HYDATA, HYDROMET WRIS The adoption rate of HYDROMET is very low The tool being developed for VBA by DHI could include some capabilities of the above data base management software.
6. Recommendations Procurement procedures are long, especially for the hydrological equipment and this sometimes adversely affects project implementation; WMO could, together with the donors find a way out for this. The organisation of training programmes in the countries by trainees needs re examination and evaluation to ensure efficiency; To mitigate the high mobility of staff of the NHSs, it is recommended to associate as many staff as possible in any training provided;
Thank you for your attention The VBA Web Services www.abv volta.org Secretariat.abv@abv volta.org