By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE Federal Government has disclosed its readiness to partner with the Borno State Government on upscaling production and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, Programmes in the State.

This was made known by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, during a courtesy by the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Utsev said the partnership is basically to enhance food security, leveraging on the irrigation and River Basin potential in the State under the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Tinubu, based on the Food Security Agenda.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that the Ministry is finalizing arrangements to visit the 36 States to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the water and sanitation situation, areas of that demands intervention, and possible collaborations.

He also made it known that he had written to the State Governors, urging them to collaborate in the ‘Open Defecation Free Nigeria Campaign’, in order to ensure they provide decent toilet facilities and other sanitation services for Nigerians and foster a healthier nation.

Therefore, he maintained and emphasized that the Federal Government is ready to support States in addressing their water and sanitation challenges.

He also assured Governor Zulum that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation is fully prepared to render assistance to Borno State in enhancing agricultural activities through irrigation systems and water schemes.

Meanwhile, the Minister reiterated how the Ministry has placed priority on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, WASH, programmes, therefore the Federal Government had strengthened its collaboration with Development Partners in the areas of Sustainable Urban and Rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, SURWASH, and Partnership for Expanded Water Supply and Sanitation, PEWASH, and other programmes including Dams and Irigation projects to accelerate their timely implementation at the grassroots level.

The Minister also expressed appreciation for the Governor’s visit and emphasized the significance of implementing Federal Government intervention programmes in the State.

He called State Governments to actively participate in life-changing programmes initiated by the Federal Government for the collective benefit of Nigerians.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum highlighted that the visit aimed to seek collaboration with the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to harness the rich agricultural potential of the state and revive its irrigation potentials.

Zulum also appealed to the Federal Government to take advantage of the vast arable lands in Borno State and fast-track the partnership for irrigation purposes.

However, he urged the Ministry to look into ongoing research to recharge the shrinking Lake Chad through internal water bodies to promote the food security agenda of the Tinubu’s administration.

Meanwhile, the Governor assured the Minister of a good and productive working relationship aimed at improving food production and the lives of the citizens.

Dignitaries present during the visit include the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Shehu Aliyu Shinkafi, Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof Usman Tar, and some Directors of the Ministry.