In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to cultivate 500,000 hectares of irrigable lands across the twelve river basins to boost national food production, the minister of water resources and sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has appealed for access to additional lands for agricultural purposes from states and communities in order to expand Nigeria’s irrigation coverage.
Utsev made this appeal during his visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State on Thursday at Government House, Benin City.
During the visit, the minister informed that he was in Edo State to officially launch the 2023 dry season farming through the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority. He also emphasized the commencement of nationwide dry season cultivation to meet national food production targets, while further seeking the state government’s approval of title deeds for acquired lands from communities in the state to facilitate the proposed partial commercialization of river basin development authorities and the introduction of public private partnerships (PPP) into key projects.
Utsev highlighted the ministry’s intervention projects in water supply, irrigation, dams, erosion control structures, and sanitation facilities within the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority catchment areas, covering Edo, Ekiti, Ondo States, and Delta North Senatorial District.
In response Obaseki welcomed the minister to Edo State and stressed the need for synergy between states and the federal government. He commended the minister’s dedication and urged him to bring fresh perspectives to achieve shared goals.
The governor emphasized collaboration on efficient water use and urged the federal government to consider state water strategies, while highlighting the economic potentials of water resources across the country.
Both parties expressed commitment to collaborate in areas of irrigation, water supply, dams, and programs like Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH).
Governor Obaseki presented the Alaghodaro Summit Souvenir to the minister, recognizing his visit during the ongoing Edo State Economic.
