By John Oba
with agency report
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, has promised that his ministry is ready to support the federal Government thrust on agriculture and food security through the ministry’s dry season irrigation farming projects.
Adamu stated this recently during his maiden meeting with newly appointed Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rabi Jimeta, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Mr. Musa Istifanus and the entire management staff of the Ministry.
He stated that Agriculture is a major thrust of the present Administration and that the Ministry of Water Resources will help the administration in contributing to food security of the country through the Ministry’s dry season irrigation farming projects and other initiatives.
He said agriculture cannot be talked about without water, assuring that his administration will focus on revamping the irrigation system to enhance food production.
He however called on the entire staff to show commitment, accountability and transparency in the discharge of their duties in moving the sector forward
He said, “the only best way we can succeed in the sector is to work as a team towards the success of the ministry in the overall interest of the Nigerians people”.
“We must follow rules and regulations in discharging our duties in the sector, without cutting corners”
In the area of water supply, the Minister said “even though it is in the concurrent list of the constitution, whereby state governments supposed to do their bit but as the Ministry of Water Resources we also have responsibility to regulate, monitor and set standard”.
He assured that the Present administration would do its best to scale up access to water supply and improve on the sanitation coverage level in the country as well as completing the on-going dams and irrigation works.
In her remarks, the new Permanent Secretary Mrs. Rabi Jimeta promised to key-into the Administrations change mantra by working assiduously with the minister and the entire staff of the Ministry to ensure success.
She congratulated the Ministry for having a young professional engineer as a minister.
She reiterated the Minister’s call to commitment, accountability and transparency. She therefore charged the staff of the Ministry to let this call a hallmark in the discharge of their duties.
