Water Resources Ministry Takes Step To Address Encroachment

By Georgina Humphrey

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has appealed to the Sokoto State Government to allocate adequate land and release title documents to the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority, SRRBDA, for ownership to end the surge of encroachment into SRRBDA land by farmers in the State.

Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, made this known during a visit to the Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Aliyu as part of his 4-day familiarization tour of the SRRBDA, in Sokoto state.

Goronyo expressed the Federal Government’s commitment and readiness to collaborate with the Sokoto State Government through the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority, SRRBDA, to bolster food production nationwide.

The Minister while outlining key ministry projects like PEWASH, SURWASH and ODF during discussions for potential collaboration, underscored the substantial role of SRRBDA as a ‘bridge builder’ for enhancing food production, both in the State and the nation at large.

He explained that the Ministry has actively contributed in providing clean drinking water to citizens, constructing dams for irrigation across the twelve River Basins nationwide, and ensuring sanitation by building toilet facilities in schools, motor parks, hospitals, and various public places in conformity with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda and the Food Security mandate of the President.

Responding, the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu, reaffirmed his government’s unwavering readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to ensure the success of the Food Security Agenda of the present Administration.

The governor directed the Commissioners of Environment and Lands to allocate irrigable land to SRRBDA and urged the MD of SRRBDA, Buhari Bature Muhammed to officially notify his office to promptly address encroachment concerns.

The courtesy visit was also extended to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubarkar III, where discussions on Water Resources projects and initiatives took place.

Edited By Grace Namiji