The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Pheelangwah, has affirmed that water, sanitation, and food security are critical in shaping Nigeria’s national development agenda.
Mr. Pheelangwah made this statement at the opening ceremony of the National Technical Committee Meeting on Water Resources and Sanitation in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, South South Nigeria, where he highlighted the direct impact of these sectors on public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.
According to him, 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.
The National Technical Committee forum of the Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation, he added, serves as a platform for addressing challenges in these essential sectors, especially in the context of climate change.
He noted 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.
He also revealed that under the leadership of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has initiated several projects to integrate climate considerations into water management.
Mr. Pheelangwah then urged 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.
The success of the 31st National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation, he stated, depends on the stakeholders’ commitment to producing actionable solutions that align with the theme and national development goals.
He however highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change to access clean water and nutritious food, particularly for vulnerable populations, and emphasized the importance of sustainable development and continuous engagement among stakeholders.
In her own remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs Emma Udonsek aligned the meeting’s theme with the Akwa Ibom ARISE Agenda.
She called on participants to adopt innovative strategies to address the dual challenges of climate change and sustainable water and food security.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the representative of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, development, Mr. Paul Opuama, the Director of Fisheries Technology and Support Services of the Ministry, representative of World Bank, Engr. Chinedu and other water sector stakeholders.
Representatives from states, the Federal Capital Territory, and other key stakeholders were present at the National Technical Committee meeting.