Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Water Users’ Associations, WUAs, in public irrigation schemes to boost food security and economic growth.
This was stated in a press release by Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry, during a training in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, focused on establishing and improving WUAs in irrigation schemes.
Goronyo emphasised that involving local water users is essential for maintaining irrigation infrastructure, which is crucial for achieving sustainable food production and national food security.
He pointed to the success of the World Bank-funded Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria, TRIMING, project, where WUAs have taken responsibility for managing irrigation systems, maintaining infrastructure, and improving agricultural productivity.
Goronyo called for replicating this model across other public irrigation schemes to support the government’s food security targets.
He also acknowledged the efforts of Oyeronke Oluniyi, Director of Irrigation and Drainage, for her work in promoting irrigation and organizing the workshop.
