By Fatima Saka
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, FNICE, FNIWE, has emphasized the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate with the Borno State Government in food production to enhance food security by leveraging irrigation and River Basin potentials in the state.
The minister reiterated that this initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Food Security Agenda. The Honourable Minister made these remarks during a courtesy visit by Governor Babagana Zulum at his office in Abuja.
Prof. Utsev also underscores the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes of the Ministry while revealing ongoing efforts by Development Partners and Federal Government to accelerate Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH), Partnership for Expanded Water Supply and Sanitation (PEWASH), Dams as well as Irrigation projects timely implementation at grassroots levels.
He further stated that his Ministry is finalizing arrangements to conduct a comprehensive assessment of water sanitation situations across all 36 States seeking areas requiring intervention or possible collaborations. He encouraged State Governors’ participation in Open Defecation Free Nigeria Campaign towards providing decent toilet facilities thereby fostering a healthier nation.
The Honourable Minister expressed appreciation for Governor Zulum’s visit while emphasizing how significant it is to implement Federal Government intervention programs within states. He urged State Governments’ active involvement in life-changing programs aimed at benefiting all Nigerians collectively.
In his response, Governor Babagana Zulum highlighted that this visit aims at seeking collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitations towards harnessing rich agricultural potentialities available within their state through revived irrigation potentials while appealing for fast-tracking partnerships between them on irrigation purposes citing vast arable lands present there.
Furthermore, he requested that ongoing research into recharging Lake Chad be reviewed through internal water bodies toward promoting Mr President’s Food Security agenda promising good work relationships aimed at improving citizens’ lives via increased food production.
