The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Bello Goronyo, has announced the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting irrigation farmers across the nation by cultivating 500,000 hectares.
This initiative aims to bolster food security in the country. Goronyo conveyed this message during a meeting with officials from the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority in Sokoto.
Highlighting President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to ensuring food availability for citizens, the minister emphasized the administration’s intention to maximize the country’s water resources.
The goal is to enhance food production, eradicate hunger, generate wealth, and tackle unemployment.
The strategy involves tapping into irrigation potential in different communities and providing support to farmers.
Goronyo underscored the significance of water resources in achieving food sufficiency and urged river basin officials to actively support communities within their areas of responsibility.
He called on them to consider irrigation projects as national assets and ensure their protection, security, and ownership to serve the intended purposes.
“We are appealing to the management to consider the irrigation projects as national assets, protect, secure and own it, so it can serve the desired purposes.
“That’s why we are here to inspect different dams and project sites and interact with benefiting communities to ensure that all aspects are in good shape,” the minister added.
The minister, accompanied by officials, inspected the Shagari dam and surrounding irrigation schemes.
Expressing disappointment at the condition of the facilities, he directed the Sokoto Rima basin management to take urgent action to revive and improve the facilities at the irrigation site.
The Managing Director of the basin, Alhaji Buhari Muhammad, outlined their supervision of dams and irrigation facilities in Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, and Kebbi.
He appealed for increased investments in agriculture, specifically emphasizing the importance of irrigation farming to provide food for the citizens and generate employment.
Subsequently, the minister engaged in a closed-door meeting with the workers of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Authority to discuss pertinent issues.
This move demonstrates the government’s hands-on approach to address challenges and ensure the success of initiatives related to food security and agricultural development.
