The Federal Government has reiterated its resolve to collaborate with the Cross River State Government in the area of food security and Open Defecation.
The move according to the Ministry is aimed at actualising the present administration’s agenda on Food Security while also, urging the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) to effectively collaborate with Stakeholders through the expansion of more irrigable lands for food production in the country.
The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo,, revealed this while on a 2- day familiarization tour of the Cross River Basin Development Authority (CRBDA) from Tuesday 7th – Wednesday 8th Nov, 2023 in Calabar, Cross River State.
According to the Honourable Minister of State, “In line with Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on food security, I urge the management of CRBDA to continue to collaborate with Stakeholders and expand more irrigable lands to accelerate the actualization of Mr. President’s Agenda to get Nigerians out of hunger and poverty”.
Goronyo emphasized his determination to ensure the active participation of staff and partners of Water Resources Sector towards the success of Mr. President’s food security Agenda and stressed that everyone must be proactive, innovative and dedicated to make positive impacts in the lives of all Nigerians.
He disclosed the importance of the performance bonds signed with the President by the Ministers and Permanent Secretaries during the just concluded Cabinet Retreat in Abuja, which was tailored towards unrelenting focus on achieving results.
The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu warmly received the Honourable Minister of State and his entourage at the Cross River State Government House.
He pledged his commitment to collaborate with the Federal Government on Food Security, while assuring that Cross River State Government was already working assiduously to end Open Defecation in the State.
The Managing Director, CRBDA, Engr. Bassey Edet Nkposong, FNSE emphasized that the Songhai Model Integrated Farm commissioned by the Honourable Minister of State will provide a model and reference point to the Local farmers and other Entrepreneurs, on the Zero Waste Concept of a typical Songhai Model Integrated Farm.
He disclosed that CRBDA has put in place strategic plans to synergize with various stakeholders in the River Basin with a view to achieving full utilization of the available lands and Water Resources to construct Dams, Irrigation facilities, Boreholes, Food and Erosion Control in order to meet the social-economic development of its catchment areas.
The climax of the Honourable Minister of State’ visit was the commissioning of the CRBDA Songhai Model Integrated Farms which consist of a Poultry, Crops section, Mushrooms, Fishery and General Animal Husbandry sections as well as a 2 kilometers road network in the Headquarters of the CRBDA.
In a statement, Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan, Director ( Press and Public Relations Unit) said the Honourable Minister of State and his entourage also paid a courtesy visit to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Oko Abasi Otu V to wrap up his visit to the State .
