By Ijeoma Wilfred
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has reiterated the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with the Borno State Government in food production to enhance food security, leveraging on the irrigation and River Basin potentials in the state, in alignment with the Food Security Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Prof Utsev made the remarks today, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, by the Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Zulum.
The Minister highlighted the importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programmes of the Ministry, and revealed the efforts of Federal Government and Development Partners in the areas of Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH), and Partnership for Expanded Water Supply and Sanitation (PEWASH ) and other programmes such as Dams and Irigation projects to accelerate their timely implementation at the grassroots levels.
He said that the Ministry is finalizing arrangements to visit all 36 States to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Water and Sanitation situation seeking areas of intervention and possible collaborations. He noted that he had written to the State Governors, urging them to collaborate in the Open Defecation Free Nigeria Campaign, in order to ensure the provision of more decent toilet facilities and other sanitation services across the country to foster a healthier nation.
Prof Utstev emphasized the Federal Government’s readiness to support states in addressing their water and sanitation needs and assured Governor Zulum that his ministry was fully prepared to assist Borno State in enhancing agriculture through irrigation systems and water schemes.
He expressed appreciation for the Governor’s visit and emphasized the significance of implementing Federal Government intervention programmes in the state while urging State Governments to actively participate in the life-changing programs for the collective benefit of all Nigerians.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Zulum had highlighted that the visit aimed to seek collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to harness the rich agricultural potential of the state and revive its irrigation potentials. He appealed to the Federal Government to take advantage of the vast arable lands in Borno State and fast-track the partnership for irrigation purposes.
Zulum also urged the Ministry to look into ongoing research to recharge the shrinking lake Chad through internal water bodies to promote the food security agenda of Mr. President. Governor Zulum assured the Minister of a good and productive working relationship aimed at improving food production and the lives of the citizens.
Also present at the meeting were the Hon. Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar, and some Directors of the Ministry, according to a statement signed by Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan, Director, Information and Public Relations.
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