FG Move to Tackle Water, Food Challenges
Uko Okon, Uyo
In a significant move towards addressing the nation’s water and food challenges, the 31st Meeting of the National Technical Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation has kicked off in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The five-day event, which began on Monday, January 27, 2025, brought together stakeholders nationwide to discuss critical issues affecting the water sector.
Our correspondent reports that this year’s Council meeting theme is “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change.”
In his remark, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, emphasised the importance of sustainable water resources, improved sanitation, and food security for Nigeria’s development. He noted that the current administration had made water, sanitation, and food security critical to its national development agenda, recognizing their direct impact on public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.
The Permanent Secretary stated that this year’s meeting theme reflects the urgent need for innovative solutions to address the challenges posed by climate change. Pheelangwah highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to mainstream climate issues into its activities, ensuring that water resources management prioritises the needs of all Nigerians.
He says, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security has prompted the Ministry to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and River Basin Development Authorities to ensure year-round food production.”However, Pheelangwah cautioned that realising this goal requires careful consideration of the challenges posed by climate change to food systems and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services.
“The declaration for a State of Emergency on Food Security by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR requires the Ministry to work in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the River Basin Development Authorities to ensure adequate irrigation/cultivation of farmland for food production all year round. “Permit me to say that the realization of this declaration will result in a mirage if consideration is not given to the challenges posed on our food systems and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Services by climate change.”
“Climate threats to WASH Services can cause substantial damage to infrastructure and inundation of farmlands. It is obvious that flooding, degraded landscapes, contaminated water supply, increasing temperature, and drought are all factors that negatively impact food security.”
He noted that the National Technical Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation is tasked with preparing and reviewing memorandum for the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation. Pheelangwah expressed his expectation that the Committee will produce high-quality memorandum addressing contemporary issues in the water sector.
The permanent secretary stated that his Ministry has been working tirelessly to implement Council resolutions and updates on milestones achieved will be shared during the main Council meeting. Pheelangwah appreciated the support of development partners, international and local Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Umo Bassey Eno. He wished the participants fruitful deliberations, emphasizing the importance of collective commitment to addressing Nigeria’s water and food challenges.
In her remarks, Mrs Emah Udonsek, Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, said water and food security were fundamental to human survival, economic development, and environmental sustainability. She said the theme highlighted the urgent need for action, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges caused by climate change. Udonsek added that the future of food security and water availability is linked to the ability to adapt to climate change.
Newsnowng reports that the event brought together Permanent Secretaries from the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, and other stakeholders.
