By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, Thursday, disclosed how seriously the Ministry is pushing hard for a paradigm shift in water resources management to unlock the country’s food production capacity and potential.

This was made known by Utsev in a keynote address he delivered at the commencement of Stakeholders’ Sensitization Workshop on the Development of the National Action Plan for the three flagship programmes aimed at harnessing water resources for food security and poverty alleviation, with the theme ‘Workshop on National Action Plan for Harnessing Water Resources for Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria’, in Nasarawa State, which basically focused on developing a comprehensive framework for the implementation of three flagship programmes designed to tackle food security challenges and alleviate poverty across the country.

He also maintained that the critical role of water resources in driving agricultural productivity, food security, and socio-economic development cannot be overemphasized, and he also highlighted the Tinubu administration’s 8-Point Agenda, which prioritizes food security and poverty eradication, urging stakeholders to transform these goals into actionable strategies.

The flagship programs include: River Basin Strategy for Poverty Alleviation (RB-SPA): This initiative prioritizes interventions to enhance agricultural productivity, promote inclusive economic growth, and alleviate poverty in river basin areas. It aims to empower farmers, improve access to markets, and ensure food security for all Nigerians.

Water for Expanded Irrigated Agriculture Programme (WEIR-PRO): This program focuses on expanding irrigated agriculture by leveraging untapped water resources to increase agricultural yields and drive economic prosperity.

Partnership for Expanded Irrigation Programme (PEIR-PRO): Similar to WEIR-PRO, this initiative is designed to boost agricultural productivity and enhance livelihoods by harnessing water resources for irrigation.

These programs were conceived under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation through the Department of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate to revolutionize Nigeria’s irrigated agricultural landscape, stimulate economic growth, and create avenues for job creation.

He said: “These programmes represent a paradigm shift in water resources management, aiming to optimize the utilization of our river basin systems and unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“It is incumbent upon us, as custodians of our nation’s water resources, to rise to the occasion and translate these priorities into tangible actions that will positively impact the lives of every Nigerian.”

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, pointed that for effective fight and drastic reduction of hunger, poverty, and water scarcity, the role of water cannot be overemphasized, and added that with the workshop, global best practices will be brought on board along with innovative solutions that would benefit farmers for greater food production and boost sustainable development.

Pheelangwah while commending the Minister’s leadership in the water sector lauded the contribution made by various stakeholders in advancing Nigeria’s water sector.