The minister of state for water resources and sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq, has expressed his appreciation for the level of developmental projects embarked upon by the National Water Resources Institute in the last few years, despite the meagre budgetary allocation available at the disposal of the Kaduna-based institute.
The minister gave the commendation during his recent familiarization tour of the institute aimed at assessing ongoing projects, programmes and challenges.
During the inspection of the already completed and on going projects at the institute, he emphasized the Federal Government’s vision of strengthening the operations of the institute in order to enhance its capacity and secure adequate funding in ensuring that the “Food Security Agenda” and “Renewed Hope Mandate” of the present administration is fulfilled.
Goronyo particularly expressed his appreciation for the director general, Prof. Emmanuel Ada Adanu, for the management skills employed at transforming the institute into such an enviable state, noting that the monumental achievements by the institute, despite the meagre resources available, was worthy of commendation.
He called on the management of the institute to align its vision with the overall mandate of the federal ministry of water resources and sanitation, which amongst others, is to provide sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to meet the
social-economic needs of all Nigerians.
This, the government tries to achieve through efficient water resources management for basic needs, irrigated agriculture , hydro power generation, national food security and the promotion of a healthy population.
Goronyo, while emphasizing the significant need for the employment of some of the teaming youths of the country by the institute to enhance the actualization of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu “Food Security Agenda,” urged the institute to synergize with the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Chad Basin Development Authority and others to collaborate in the area of staff training and other beneficial interests.
He explained that in this way, the youth and staff of the River Basin Development Authorities will avail themselves the opportunity to benefit from the window of sustainable environment, which has been created by the Federal Government, to seek enduring knowledge.
Responding, Prof. Adanu expressed the appreciation of the entire staff and management team of the institute to the minister and revealed the urgent need of the institute for youth employment and manpower development to fill the existing vacancies in the institute.
He regretted the institute’s inability to carry out the employment processes due to meagre budgetary allocation and the administrative bottle-neck experienced to secure approval for the process and called on the minister to intervene in this regard.
Accompanied by some senior management staff of his ministry and those of the institute, Goronyo inspected the institute’s library, water quality laboratory, the Engr. Suleiman Adamu Hydraulic Center, the Soghahi Model Farm Hydroponic Centre, the electro-mechanic workshop, ground museum, Dr. Musa W. Ibrahim Lecture Theatre, a 100-theater, and the 50 bedroom student apartment.
The minister, during the tour, also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Nuhu Bamalli, in Zaria.
In another development, Goronyo was hosted to a congratulatory dinne and reception organized by the dissolved members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the North West Youth Mobilization, together with the Arewa Consultative and Synergy Congress (ACSC), under the chairmanship of Dr. Haris Jibril.
On the minister’s entourage were some senior officials of the ministry, the managing director of Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, and Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, Kaduna State RUWASSA MD, among others.