The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Pheelangwah, has called interministerial collaboration to address hunger crisis in the country.
Pheelangwah stated this at the opening ceremony of the National Technical Committee Meeting on Water Resources and Sanitation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
A statement signed by the
Director Information and Public Relation, in the Ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan in Abuja, highlights the direct impact of these sectors on public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.
The statement stresses that water, sanitation, and food security play a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s national development agenda.
According to the statement, Mr. Pheelangwah notes that the theme of this year’s Council meeting, “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change,” underscores the urgency of addressing the adverse impacts of flooding, drought, contaminated water supplies, and degraded landscapes posed by Climate Change all of which threaten food security and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services.
It points out that the National Technical Committee forum of the Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation serves as a platform for addressing challenges and advancing mandates in these critical sectors, especially in the context of climate change.
It also recalls that the State of Emergency on Food Security, declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, emphasizes the need for synergy between ministries and agencies to ensure sustainable irrigation and farmland cultivation across the country.
The statement maintains that under the leadership of Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, the Ministry of has initiated several projects to integrate climate considerations into water management.
It urges the National Technical Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, comprising experts from across the country, to endeavour to prepare comprehensive memoranda capable of addressing contemporary issues in the water sector.
According to the statement, the Permanent Secretary emphasizes that the success of the 31st National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation depends on the stakeholders’ commitment to producing actionable solutions that align with the theme and national development goals.
It acknowledges the growing challenges posed by climate change to access clean water and nutritious food, particularly for vulnerable populations, and emphasizes the importance of sustainable development and continuous engagement among stakeholders.
The statement says while declaring the session open, Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs. Emma Udonsek, calls on participants to adopt innovative strategies to address the dual challenges of climate change and sustainable water and food security.
