As part of efforts to ensure an increase in food production towards achieving food security in Nigeria, the federal government has decided to partner with state governments to help farmers in the use of irrigation. To do this, the government at the centre has decided to put to maximum use the 12 river basins across the country. Professor Joseph Utsev, the minister of Water Resources and Sanitation disclosed this in Minna, Niger State during a courtesy visit on Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State. He therefore called on state governors to provide irrigable land for the exercise.
Utsev, who had earlier visited the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, UNRBDA in the state, said President Bola Tinubu had given the ministry and other relevant agencies of government a marching order to boost food production to meet local consumption and export demands. He said, “As part of the `Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Tinubu, all hands must be on deck to ensure maximum food security; therefore, it is not going to be business as usual. We are not relenting to ensure that the state-of-emergency placed on food production achieved results in line with the President’s agenda and we are leaving no stone unturned,’’
According to the minister, targets have been set for managing directors of river basins for them to key into the agenda by engaging in wet and dry season farming. While assuring that the river basin had a dam capable of supplying water to Agaie and Lapai towns, the minister said UNRBDA would supervise the rehabilitation of Bedeggi irrigation scheme, Suleja and Bida waterworks and the construction of boreholes in the state also pledged more collaboration with the state government.
Mallam Yakubu Garba, Niger State Deputy Governor, received the minister on behalf of the governor. He told Utsev that the plan was a welcome development. According to the deputy governor, the four dams in Niger state were not adequately utilised, as only 30% of the dams is being used for power generation.
