
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom governor has made an advocacy for the revitalisation of the abandoned Nkari and Ibiono Ibom dams by the federal government.
The dams, located in Ini and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas of the State, were envisioned to drive agricultural growth and economic prosperity of the State.
Pastor Umo Eno, who made the advocacy, Wednesday, while declaring open the 31st Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation – the highest decision making body for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in the country, which took place at the Ibom Hall, IBB Avenue, Uyo, with the theme, “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change”, drew the attention of the federal government to the plight of the abandoned dams once envisioned to drive agricultural growth and economic prosperity of the State, but currently lying dormant and abandoned, a testament to the neglect of the State’s water resources.
Eno was saddened that the two dams, with their proposed economic benefits, were lying abandoned, saying Akwa Ibom as a State, was ready to offer support towards revitalising the dam projects.
He identified climate change as a significant threat to the State’s water and food security, as rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and increased frequency of extreme weather effects, all pose serious challenges to the agricultural sector and water resources.
The governor said as part of efforts to address these challenges, his administration has implemented several initiatives aimed at mitigating the impacts of climate change, including the setting up of Flood Mitigation Committee headed by the deputy governor, the capacitation and resourcing of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency (AKSEPWMA) to manage waste and desilt gutters and drains, thereby reducing the impacts of flood, as well as the conversion of the gully erosion site along Dominic Utuk Avenue to a world class family themed park, tagged: The Arise Park.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges of water and food security in the face of climate change, assuring the National Council of the implementation of the conclusions from the meeting and to work closely with the federal government and development partners to ensure that the State’s water and food security initiatives are productive.
Eno expressed gratitude to the Council and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for choosing Uyo, the Akwa Ibom capital, to host the national event.
He noted that the theme of the event resonates deeply with his administration’s policy thrust, the ARISE agenda which, according to him, prioritises agricultural revolution for food security and sufficiency, rural development, infrastructural expansion and maintenance, security management and educational advancement.
Eno said the ARISE Agenda aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, adding that Akwa Ibom government is committed to working tirelessly to ensure that its citizens benefit from the initiatives and programmes outlined in the President’s bold agenda, especially those that relate to water, agriculture and environment.
He stated that his administration’s commitment to food security and sufficiency is unwavering having recognised the critical role water resources play in achieving the goal, such as in irrigation, livestock production, crop growth, food processing, fisheries and aquaculture, soil health, climate regulation and change as well as rural development.
The governor noted that his administration has consequently made significant strides in reforming and strengthening the institutional framework for the water resources sector, recalling that before his assumption of office as governor, he had served as the commissioner for lands and water resources, hence his acute understanding of the issues surrounding water management.
He explained that for the first time in the history of the state, government has established the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation as a stand-alone ministry for the WASH sector, adding that the ministry, with its parastatals and agencies – Akwa Ibom Water Company Ltd and Akwa Ibom State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (AK-RUWATSAN) – are responsible for providing safe and affordable water and sanitation services to citizens in line with Akwa Ibom State Water Resources Sector Management and Regulation Law 2022.
Eno said, additionally, government has implemented some initiatives aimed at improving water, sanitation and hygiene practices, including the construction of public water and toilet facilities in schools, health facilities, markets, etc, while also indicating interest in the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project, which promises to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the State.
He furthered that government has made a commitment of N200 million and chosen to partner the Cross River Basin Development Authority under model 1 of the project, and solicited collaboration with the federal government and development partners to bring the project to fruition.
In his keynote address, the minister of water resources and sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, highlighted some salient strides recorded so far in the area of water and sanitation as part of the Clean Nigeria Campaign project.
Utsev expressed the believe that at the end of the five days engagement, the Council, which is the highest policy making body on issues of clean water and sanitation, will evolve policies that will enable the ministry achieve some key components of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the area of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
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