Water Resources Min Partners UNIDO For Agric, Food Production

Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is partnering UNIDO to enhance dams for hydropower, agricultural and food production improvements in Nigeria.

The Minister, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated this when he hosted the National Programme Officer of UNIDO, Dr Osu-Inya Otu and other members of the Organisation in Abuja.

Professor Utsev explained that the importance of constructing dams and utilizing them effectively is to address the long standing issue of power shortage and food production.

He noted that on going construction of dams will be completed while already completed ones will be enhanced to boost efforts in hydropower generation, irrigation farming and improve the use of irrigation equipment to enhance agricultural productivity.

The Minister underscored the commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhancing various sectors of the economy, particularly in the area of food security.

He expressed the Federal Government’s determination to improve hydropower and irrigation farming practices across the country.

Prof. Utsev therefore assured UNIDO of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate and provide technical and infrastructural support for the success of UNIDO’s projects in the water sector.

Earlier in his remarks, the National Programme Officer of UNIDO, Dr Osu-Inya Otu underscored the significance of Water Resources in the production of hydropower and stated that UNIDO has been in close collaboration with the Ministry in the areas of poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Dr. Otu who also briefed the Minister on the Organization’s forthcoming project aimed at promoting hydropower in Nigeria outlined UNIDO’s plan to establish six hydropower stations across the country to generate electricity for productive use, sought support from the Ministry for successful implementation of the project.

Present at the courtesy visit were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, and some Technical Directors.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji