Hydrology data Key to food security in Nigeria – Minister
Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, says his Ministry would ensure the adequate provision of up-to-date Hydrological data base for Nigerians particularly farmers.
Professor Utsev said Hydrological data base would help in improving the quality of seasonal forecast information which would inturn help improve food security in the country inline with President Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
This was revealed during his familiarization working visit alongside the Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo to the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) Headquarters in Abuja.
Prof Utsev affirmed that achieving this agenda depends significantly on ensuring the availability of Water and Hydrological Data essential for planning, executing, and managing water resources and related projects.
He also highlighted the pivotal role the NIHSA plays in providing Hydrological Data to mitigate the damaging impacts of floods that have left many Nigerians homeless and destroyed agricultural products worth millions of naira.
The Minister pledged to maintain a close working relationship with NIHSA and acknowledged the numerous challenges facing the Agency as outlined by the Director General, Engr. Nze Clement.
He expressed his commitment to address these challenges and maintained the importance of adhering to NIHSA’s predictions as a means to curbing frequent flood occurrences and safeguarding the country’s substantial infrastructure investments.
In his remarks the Hon. Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq. expressed his appreciation for the visit and stressed the need for NIHSA’ staff to receive proper training, work in suitable environment and enjoy improved welfare to ensure efficient provision of hydrological data for sustainable planning and design which will immensely benefit farmers and various projects in Nigeria.
The Director General, Engr. Nze Clement, who welcomed the Honourable Ministers, provided insight into the Mandate, Vision, Mission, and achievements of the Agency.
He highlighted the Agency’s challenges and called for the Ministers’ intervention to enable NIHSA to fulfill its core mission.
The Honourable Ministers inspected the Data Bank, the Geographic Information System And Remote Sensing (GIS/RS), the Isotope Laboratory, the Modelling Centre & Monitoring for Environment and Security in Africa facilities of the Agency.
Minister of Water Resources, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev flanked by Minister of State, Bello Goronyo and DG NIHSA Eng Clement Nze.
