Minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev, has reiterated the federal government’s readiness to partner with the Borno State government in food production to enhance food security.
The partnership will leverage on the irrigation and River Basin potentials in the state in alignment with the Food Security Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The minister made the remarks during a courtesy visit by the Borno State governor, Prof Babagana Zulum.
Prof Utsev stressed the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes of the ministry, and highlighted the efforts of the federal government and development partners in the areas of Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH).
He also emphasized the need for Partnership for Expanded Water Supply and Sanitation (PEWASH) and other programmes such as dams and irrigation projects to accelerate their timely implementation at the grassroots.
He added that the ministry was already finalising arrangements to visit all the 36 states to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Water and Sanitation situation seeking areas of intervention and possible collaborations.
The minister noted that he had written to the state governors, urging them to ensure the provision of more decent toilet facilities and other sanitation services across the country to foster a healthier nation and achieve Open Defecation-free Nigeria.
He 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.
Earlier, Governor Zulum said the visit was 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.
The governor also urged the ministry to look into the area of research to recharge the shrinking Lake Chad through internal water bodies to promote the food security agenda of the president.
Also present at the meeting were the minister of state, Hon Muhammad Goronyo, the permanent secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi, the Borno State commissioner for information and internal security, Prof Usman Tar and some directors in the ministry.
