Food security: FG pledges to resuscitate River Basins

Federal Government is to resuscitate River Basins across the country in a bid to ensure food security.

The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo stated this during a courtesy call to Borno State Deputy Governor, Usman Kadafur as part of his two days official working visit to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

The Minister explained that River Basins are critical to the actualisation of the one cardinal objective of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration which their ministry will accord required priority.

He reiterated that Federal Government shall utilize the Alau and Biu Dam in its quest for national development and commended Governor Babagana Zulum for his intervention to restore some of the damage facilities at Alau Dam through North East Development Commission and assured Federal Government’s support at all times.

Hon. Goronyo noted that the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation will embark on the tour of all the four (4) River Basins across the Country to ascertain its level of their preparedness and to tap all its potentials via engaging millions of teaming youths in food production and other agricultural activities.

The Minister added that they would work round the clock to achieve the open defecation free target set by Federal Government before 2025. He applauded Jigawa State Government for achieving open defecation free and urged Borno State to imitate such.

Responding, the Borno State Deputy Governor commended the Minister and his entourage for the visit and assured the government’s support to the Ministry in achieving its mandates in the State.

The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo have also been briefed by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Chad Basin Development Authority, Engineer Abba Garba about the activities of the Authority as he visited the Basin and that the Minister was impressed with them and assured to utilise the vast arable lands for food security.

The Minister was taken round by the Managing Director and CEO Chad Basin Development Authority and inspected the facilities as well as the farm produce at the commercial quantity.