This study evaluates current groundwater management problems in the chad basin and
applies the transition management concept that allows stakeholder participation in
addressing persistent problems of groundwater management. This has been achieved by
carrying out stakeholder analysis; where a total of 5 stakeholder groups consisting of 15
organisations which includes government agencies, water user groups (local residents),
civil society organisations, an NGO, and a research institution were identified and
engaged via interviews and focus group discussions between April and June 2013.
Interview and focus group results showed that most strategic stakeholders interviewed
were knowledgeable on the issues related to groundwater contamination, while the focus
group participants are having limited knowledge about the issue. Also, concerns about
groundwater contamination were high among the interviewees and extremely low among
the focus group participants. Presently, none of the stakeholder categories was affected
by problems of groundwater contamination. Overall, interviewees and participants
proffered options such as provision of adequate legislations, stakeholder
inclusion/community participation in water management and the increase in investment in
the water and sanitation sector as the most viable options of achieving sustainablegroundwater management. The outcome of this study will be useful to water managers,
policy and decision makers in implementing sustainable groundwater management
strategy