FG: River Basins Can Produce Enough Food for Local Consumption, Export

 John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, says the 12 river basins in Nigeria have capacity to produce sufficient food for consumption and export.
Speaking during a visit to the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), at Mando area, Kaduna, the minister said manpower was needed though, disclosing that the basins require persons with the technical know-how to manage the water basins.

Goronyo suggested that the NWRI should be converted to a degree-awarding institution.
He added that converting the NWRI to a degree-awarding institution in its areas of speciality, will boost food security, youth inclusivity and tackle unemployment and insecurity.

According to him, the NWRI is the only institution running courses like hydro technology, hydro engineering, and irrigation in Nigeria.
He said, “From information available to me, it was established in 1979,  it has to go beyond this and become a world-class institution. We are trying to revitalise this place to become a world standard degree-awarding university.

“With the food security agenda of Mr. President, the elevation of this institution would go a long way to address insecurity, unemployment and youth inclusivity.
“With the array of professors, doctors, and staff committed to providing the desired teaching and learning, it is time for this institute to realise its mandate.”
The minister commended Emmanuel Adanu, the Director-General of the institute for his achievements despite the meagre budget allocated to the school.
“We have seen novel efforts in the area of hydro engineering technology, dam assessment, and reservoirs.

“The institute is supposed to grow bigger instead of stagnating. Stakeholders should come here and get world class training for their staff. The managing directors of river basins should utilize the institute maximally because it has the technology that you cannot find anywhere,” said the minister.

He added, “There are 12 river basins and a lot number of dams in Nigeria, some of which have components of hydro and irrigation. We undertook this tour with a view to familiarise ourselves with what is on the ground to prepare for the task ahead.”
The noted that food security “is the first on the eight points agenda of Mr. President and it cannot be actualised without irrigatable lands” and that the 12 river basins are enough to feed this country and even export.”