The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has said the partnership involving the ministry and UNIDO working together will enhance hydropower, agricultural and food production in the country.
The Minister, who hailed the partnership between the two when the UNIDO National Programme Officer, Dr Osu Inya Out, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry on Friday in Abuja, said it will enhance more agricultural production and hydropower development.
Prof Utsev highlighted the importance of constructing dams and utilising them effectively to address the longstanding issue of power shortage and food production.
He noted that rehabilitation of ongoing dams will be completed while already completed ones will be enhanced to boost efforts in hydropower generation, irrigation farming and improved use of irrigation equipment to enhance agricultural productivity.
The minister underscored the commitment of the administration to enhancing various sectors of the economy, particularly in the area of food security.
He emphasised the federal government’s determination to improve hydropower and irrigation farming practices across the country.
He assured the UN Agency of the ministry’s readiness to collaborate and provide technical and infrastructural support for the success of UNIDO’s projects in the water sector.
Earlier, Dr Otu, underscored the significance of Water Resources in the production of hydropower and highlighted that UNIDO has been in close collaboration with the ministry in the areas of poverty alleviation and sustainable development.
He further briefed the minister on the organisation’s forthcoming project aimed at promoting hydropower in Nigeria.
He outlined UNIDO’s plan to establish six hydropower stations across the country to generate electricity for productive use and sought support from the ministry for the successful implementation of the project.
