Goronyo Harps On Collaboration With Hungary On Water Mgt

Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo says there is need to maintain the ongoing collaboration between the Ministry, the Hungarian Government and Water Resources Stakeholders.

Goronyo made this known when the Honorary Consul-General of Hungary, Mr. Endre Deri and his team paid him a visit in Abuja.

The Minister explained that there were previous agreements between the Ministry, the Hungarian Ministry of Interior and University of Public Service in Hungary to establish a framework for cooperation in Water Management but was interrupted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that in the agreement two sets of trainings were already carried out, one in Nigeria and the other in Hungary.

He stressed that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), contained critical aspects of the River Basin Management planning, Waste and Water Management, and Water-related Educational Research and Development.

Goronyo explained that there was need to involve key stakeholders, like the Attorney General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and others, in ensuring a comprehensive review of the document to kick start the necessary actions.

The Minister emphasized that revisitation of the MOU aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for food security and flood control for the benefit of all Nigerians.

In his remarks, the Honorary Consul General of Hungary, Mr. Andre Deri commended the Minister for his commitment to revisit the agreement between the two countries.

He noted that there was potential benefits of collaboration in water management, particularly in enhancing food security, flood mitigation, and educational development for young water engineers.

Mr. Deri also emphasized the potential impact of river trainings in expanding irrigable lands along the banks of Rivers Niger and Benue, leading to a significant increase in agricultural yield.

By Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji