Water Resources Minister Solicits Additional Land For Irrigation

By Georgina Humphrey

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev has appealed to state governments for additional land to expand the National Irrigation coverage.

The Minister made this appeal during his visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Prof. Utsev explained that the additional land will align with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to cultivate 500,000 hectares of irrigable land across the twelve River Basins to boost food production.

He stressed that his visit to the State was to officially launch the 2023 Dry Season farming through the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority to commence the nationwide dry season cultivation to meet the National food production target.

He appealed to the State Government for the approval of Title Deeds for acquired lands from communities in the state to facilitate the proposed partial commercialization of River Basin Development Authorities and the introduction of Public Private Partnership (PPP) into key projects.

Repomding, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki stressed the need for synergy between states and the Federal Government in food availability.

The Governor who called for collaboration on efficient water use, urged the Federal Government to consider state water strategies and economic potential of Water Resources across the country.

Governor Obaseki who appealed to the minister to bring in fresh perspectives to achieve shared goals commended the Minister’s dedication towards the sector.

Both parties expressed commitment to collaborate in areas of irrigation, water supply, dams, and programs like Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH).

Edited By Grace Namiji