As a way out of the persistent nationwide rise in cost of food, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation says it is taking steps to mitigate the situation by adopting wide ranging and ambitious irrigation farming practices this year and beyond.
This was contained in a keynote address delivered by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Utsev at the 30th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWRS&S) held between 12th and 16th February, 2024 at Maryam Babangida Women Development Center, Central Business District, Abuja.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike who was ably represented by the the Most Senior Director in FCTA, Chief (DR) Udoh Samuel Atang, officially declared open the Meeting.
He said the FCTA had witnessed tremendous achievements that were geared towards the realization of SDG-6 (Water and Sanitation for all by the year 2030) while at the same time achieving other SDGs.
Dr. Atang called for increased Synergy for more investment in the Nation's Water Sector.
In the nearly one hour long address, Professor Utsev said farmers nationwide will access 15,000 hectares of irrigable lands for agriculture this year.
He said irrigation as an agricultural practice has been identified as key to a vibrant Nigerian economy that is accounting for a high percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a viable intervention option that will ensure national food security and poverty alleviation.
Professor Utsev stated that “Since the last Council Meeting, some irrigation schemes have been completed and handed over to farmers for cultivation through the World Bank Sponsored Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project.
“These schemes include: The Hadejia Valley 5,750ha irrigation scheme in Jigawa State; Kano River 14,444ha irrigation scheme in Kano State; and Gari 2,114ha irrigation project in Kano and Jigawa States.
“The Ministry is also developing irrigable areas totaling over 15,000ha, which is nearing completion. This will be handed over to farmers by the end of the 3rd quarter of year 2024.”
Speaking further on the theme "People, Planet and Prosperity: Promoting Water Governance for National Food Security", the Professor of Water Engineering made it known that in order to transform and promote Irrigation development towards sustainable food production and security for the greater socio-economic well-being of the nation in line with the Tinubu-led administration’s ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda, the Ministry will channel all efforts towards achieving the target of developing 500,000 hectares of land by 2030.
He explained that it will be achieved in collaboration with the Federal Department of Irrigation and Drainage, River Basin Development Authorities, States, LGAs and the Private Sector.
In another development, Professor Utsev disclosed efforts by the Ministry to re-engage the 10th National Assembly on the passage of the controversial Water Resources Bill which generated considerable heat in the 9th Assembly.
“As you are aware, the National Water Resources Bill was passed by the House of Representatives in 2018 but could not scale through the 8th and 9th Senate.
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“The Ministry will still re-engage with the 10th National Assembly to ensure the passage of the Bill. When passed into law, the Bill will establish an effective legal, and regulatory framework in the water sector in Nigeria.” stated the Minister.
Furthermore, the Minister disclosed that the Federal Government through the Ministry has concessioned 110 megawatts of hydropower just as 967 megawatts are currently being developed to also meet the power supply needs of Nigerians.
“We have conclusively concessioned some projects while still developing others through various PPP models itemized below: Concession of the 40MW Dadinkowa Hydropower Project in Gombe State.
“We have attained financial closure and the plant is operational thereby stabilizing the transmission voltage of the North-East of Nigeria.
“Concession of the 30MW Gurara Hydropower Plant in Kaduna State up to financial closure and the plant which is under rehabilitation will commence commercial operation in the third quarter of the year 2024.
“Concession of the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant in Taraba State. The FEC approval has been secured, the concession agreement executed and the commencement Fee paid by the Concessionaire to the Special Concession Account as approved by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
“Development of 360MW Gurara Phase II Hydropower Project in Niger State (EPC contract awarded and FEC approval for the concession of Operation and Maintenance of the Power Plant through PPP Model secured).
“Development of 136 MW Manya and 182MW Bawaku Hydropower Project in Taraba and Benue States respectively. This is at the procurement stage and ready to proceed to the Request for Proposal (RFP) Stage.
“Development of 460 MW Katsina-Ala Hydropower Project in Benue. This is also at the procurement stage; Proceeding to the Request for Proposal (RFP) Stage/Negotiation with the Proponent.
“Development of 20MW Farin Ruwa Hydropower Plant Project in Nasarawa State. Advertisement of Request for Qualification (RFQ) has been placed in the Federal Tenders Journal, The Nation, and Leadership Newspapers of Monday, 22nd January 2024 for value for money to the Government.” stated the Minister.
On water quality, sanitation and hygiene, the Minister said the Ministry has constructed 9,198 sanitation facilities in 127 Local Government Areas to serve 550,820 people in public places and institutions including markets, motor parks, Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, schools, and others.
He also assured that the ‘Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet’ Campaign that was launched in 2019 to end open defecation by 2025 by his Ministry “will aggressively drive the process of improving sanitation and address the menace of open defecation in Nigeria, by scaling-up the current strategies in the ongoing nationwide sensitization.”
Goodwill messages were delivered by several dignitaries including the Minister of State, Water Resources and Sanitation Ministry, Bello Mohammed Goronyo, Esq, Senate and House Committees Chairmen on Water Resources as well as the General Manager of FCT Water Board along with several Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries in the 36 State Ministries of Water Resources as well as Development Partners.
