Good Water Governance, Key To Food Security – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has vowed to collaborate with water stakeholders for provision of potable water and sanitation for Nigerians.

The minister stated this at the 30th Regular Meeting of the National Council of Water Resources and Sanitation in Abuja.

WIke who was represented by the acting Permanent Secretary, Udom Samuel Attang insisted on the commitment of the ministry in providing clean and adequate water supply and sanitation for Nigerians.

The Minister who said that provision of water is part of the present administration’s renewed hope agenda stressed the need for improved water governance bearing in mind that each policy enacted contributes to abundant harvest for food security.

“Here in the Federal Capital Territory, our commitment in provision of adequate clean water and sanitation still remains strong and irrivokeable” Wike noted.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Alhaji Aliyu Shinkafi stated that the current food crisis and poverty in Nigeria can only be addressed through collaboration.

“Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)1,2,6 will end hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture as well as ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030 if we work as a team” the Permanent Secretary added.

Alhaji Shinkafi was of the opinion that the focus should be geared towards water governance to promote food security in the country.

“Our planet is facing a most daunting challenge of insufficient food and water which are all threats to human survival and its sustainable development and the risk that our planet will experience global food and water crises between now and 2050 is very high”.

He further called for proper synergy between sister agencies and stakeholders in the sector to ensure irrigation of farm land that will guarantee adequate food supply all year round.

In his paper presentation, the keynote speaker, Inuah Musa who stated that poor water governance was responsible for hike in prices of food stuffs in the country added that good Water Sanitation Governance would not be possible without a water bill.

On his part the Senior Water Resources Manager for the World Bank in Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Chinedu pledged continuous support towards food security in Nigeria through irrigation drainage development.

Participants were drawn from the 36 states of the federation, MDAs, as well as goodwill messages from the World Health Organization, UNICEF, World Bank, Africa Development Bank amongst others.

The theme for this year’s programme is “People, Planet and Prosperity: Promoting Water Governance for National Food Security.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji