The Federal Government is willing to work with the Plateau State Government to improve food production and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs by utilizing dams, water supply, irrigation, and river basin resources in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This is stated by the Honorable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, FNICE, FNIWE.
On Thursday, June 13, 2024, during a courtesy visit to the Minister’s office in Abuja, His Excellency, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the governor of Plateau State, and his entourage reaffirmed this commitment.
The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev FNSE, FNICE, FNIWE,(2nd R),accompanied by the Honourable Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo Esq.,(L), and the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, FCNA , (R),received the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang (2nd L), during a Courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja , on Thursday 13th June, 2024
In his thank you note to the Governor, Engr. Prof. Utsev outlined the Ministry’s major initiatives, including the Open Defecation Free (ODF) Campaign, as well as potential areas of cooperation. These included interventions like the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) and Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) programs. He emphasized how critical it is to move quickly to implement these programs at the local and subnational levels.
He also emphasized how these programs directly support the tenets of Mr. President’s Agenda and stressed their importance in realizing the Administration’s vision of Renewed Hope, especially in terms of promoting inclusivity, economic growth, job creation, food security, and anti-corruption initiatives.
He insisted that the Governor support the initiatives of the Ministry, highlighting the Federal Government’s resolve to see its goal of eliminating open defecation by 2025 through to completion. In order to reach this goal, he cited the installation of restrooms at a number of marketplaces, schools, and shopping centers in addition to conducting public awareness campaigns as crucial actions.
The Honorable Minister of State, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., echoed the Minister’s remarks by stressing the importance of addressing issues such as vandalism of government facilities and insecurity. He also insisted that timely issuance of Title Deeds will increase the value of irrigable lands, stop encroachment into the State, and guarantee food security across the country.
He applauded the Plateau State government for its many community-based initiatives that support the President’s Agenda for Food Security. Aware of the State’s strategic location, he also emphasized the prospects for increasing wealth and creating jobs through the realization of irrigation and industrialization’s full potential.
Rt. Hon. Goronyo appealed to the Governor to support the Ministry’s campaign to end open defecation by 2025 by providing public restrooms, and he called for collaboration between the state government and the Organized Private Sector, particularly in sanitation efforts.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alh. Aliyu Shehu Shinkafi, FCNA, emphasized the significance of several ongoing Federal Government projects in Plateau State during his welcoming remarks. He called on the Governor to work together, stressing the vital role that state governments’ participation plays, especially in areas like SPIN, ODF, and other Ministry projects. In addition to mentioning plans for a high-level advocacy campaign to engage states, including Plateau, on the Ministry’s programs, Shinkafi urged the Governor to lead the ODF campaign in the state.
Technical Directors, such as Engr. Ali Dallah, FNSE, Director of Dams and Reservoirs, emphasized the significance and advancement of projects such as the Mangu Dam, stressing its function in the State’s irrigation potential and water supply. Director of Water Supply, Engr. Nicholas Dumebi Madu, announced the completion and handover of water projects in the State’s Wase Area and urged the State Government to become more involved in intervention programs like PEWASH and SURWASH.
In addition to discussing Plateau State’s preparedness to take part in initiatives like Sustainable Power in Nigeria (SPIN), Engr. Mrs. Oyeronke Oluniyi, FNSE, Director of Irrigation and Drainage, underlined the necessity of addressing issues related to insurgencies that impact irrigation plans. She emphasized that in order to involve women and young people in water management and job creation, Water Users Associations must be formed and the Federal Government’s Micro Irrigation Schemes must be implemented in Plateau State.
The Lower Niger River Basin Authority, which is in charge of the state’s small dams, needs to be protected from the difficulties presented by insecurity in some areas of the state, according to Mrs. Christy Oduh, Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate. She also urged support for farmers.
The Governor emphasized how the State is now better equipped to find and apprehend those who damage public property, prosecute offenders, and use technology for surveillance. He mentioned the State’s previous interest in being involved in the SPIN project and that he was ready for the planned visit to Mangu Dam. He underlined how crucial it is to interact with the Ministry and promised to devote a lot of effort to this cooperation.
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