FG urges state government to make maximum use of irrigation facilities
The Federal Government has called on states government housing River Basins Authority accross the 12 Niger Upper and Lower River Basins, to ventured into creating irrigation facilities to boost food production for all Nigerians.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr. Prof. Joseph T. Utsev made the call while commissioning some numbers of irrigation farming facilities in Niger state, embarked upon by the management of Upper Niger Basin Development Authority in Minna, Niger state capital yesterday.
Professor Utsev called on the inhabitants of states benefitting from River Basins authority facilities to invest in irrigation farming to ensure food sufficiency as well as boosting their economy.
The minister said venturing by the state government in providing arable land and irrigation facilities was the only way to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians and will lead to creation of wealth which he said was in line with the Renew Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tibubu.
The minister while thanking president Tibubu for his zeal and determination to create jobs and revive the country economy, however disclosed that all hands must be on deck to achieved it's mandate of boosting food production through irrigation farming activities.
Professor Joseph Utsev further stated that it will not be business as usual as the ministry under his watch was moving around to ensure that every one, irrespective of where he works, will do his or her work.
The minister had during his familiarisation visit to the state, commissioned some projects constructed by the Upper Niger River Basins Authority, which included the Heavy Duty Equippment Stand, Professor A.M Ali Empowerment Centre, Dam Road, Rafin Yashi Irrigation Scheme, Concrete Reservoir, Songhai Intergrated Farm, Rafin Yashi Dam and Agro Tourism facility, among others.
In her own remarks, Niger State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon Binta Mamman, who was on hand at the commissioning of these projects, assured the minister of Niger state government's preparedness to support federal government's drive to ensure robust food production through irrigation farming activities.
The commissioner said the state government under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has passion for farming and was ever ready to provide land for investors who expressed their willingness to come to the state to invest in farming and doing other businesses that can boost the economy of the state, as well as creating wealth for it's citizentry which was aimed at reducing poverty.
Hon Binta Mamman, assured the minister of adequate security for all the projects and facilities constructed by Niger Upper River Basins Authority and commissioned by him and that it would be protected and utilized by the inhabitants of the state who were in various farming activities.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Niger Upper River Basins Authority, Prof Abdulkarim M. Aliyu, expressed his appreciation to the minister for his visit to the state to commissioned some numbers of projects initiated and contructed by his management.
Prof Abdulkarim Ali, told the visiting minister that his management was able to acquired an array of heavy duty and earth moving equipments which he said has properly positioned the authority to undertake it's focus on dredging of water ways for the purpose of increasing lands available for irrigation and will also go a long way in boosting the revenue generation capacity of the authority.