Goronyo commends Gombe State’ collaboration with Federal Government towards increased food production in the country

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has commended the Gombe State Government for the level of percentage completion of the partnership projects between the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and the Gombe State Government, that are capable of boosting food production in the country.

Goronyo made the commendation during his courtesy visit to Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, at the Government House, Gombe, on Wednesday, 22nd Nov. 2023, as part of his 3-day familiarization tour of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA).

According to the Minister of State, the implementation of the Rehabilitation, Expansion, and Upgrade of the Gombe Regional Water Supply project, which is a partnership between the Federal Government and the Gombe State Government, was a huge success. He added that the project aligns with the National Water Supply and Sanitation Policy, with the Federal Government contributing 30% of the contract sum and Gombe State Government contributing 70%.

He noted that this project has reached a 90 percent completion level and stressed that the remaining work to be done is the installation of the electro-mechanical equipment, which has already been purchased.

Goronyo commissioned two out of the six PEWASH projects executed in Gombe Metropolis and also inspected a good number of other projects affiliated with the collaboration of the UBRBDA and the Gombe State Government during the familiarization tour.

The Honourable Minister of State also inspected the Bubayero Gully Flood and Erosion Control project constructed by the UBRBDA, along with the Dadin-Kowa Dam, Power Plant, and 2,100 hectares of land which is currently being developed by the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (Triming) to boost food production in the country, aligning with the Renewed Hope and Food Security Agenda of Mr. President.

‘He urged other State Governors to emulate the laudable engagement and unwaivering collaboration of Gombe State Government’ with the Federal Government in projects’ execution’.

Similarly, the Honourable Minister of State paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Adamawa State. During the visit, the Minister reiterated the need for the Adamawa State Government to collaborate with his Ministry through the UBRBDA in the priority areas of the 8-point Agenda of Mr. President.

Addressing the gathering, His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, CON, pledged his government’s collaboration with the laudable initiatives of the Federal Government . The commitment is to partner with the Federal Government on projects that bear significance to the success of the food security agenda of the present administration.

Other areas visited included the Kiri Dam near Kiri Town in Shelleng LGA of Adamawa State, where they inspected its facilities. Additionally, they visited the Dangote Savannah Sugar factory, the chief beneficiary of the water from Kiri Dam, which Dangote uses for planting its vast sugarcane plantations and generating power for its independent power plant to power the sugar factory.

In the course of the tour, the Honourable Minister of State and his entourage also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Highness, Lamido Alh. Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha (Ph.D.). The Galadima Adamawa received the Honourable Minister of State and his entourage on behalf of the Emir of Adamawa, Yola.

Earlier, the Honourable Minister of State and his entourage visited the Center Pivot Irrigation Development in Talum, Adamawa State, slated for development by the American West Africa Agro, Ltd, the project’s contractor.

The 3-day familiarization tour of the Honourable Minister of State included some senior staff of his Ministry, the MD/Chief Executive Officer of UBRBDA, Engr. Abubarkar H. Mu’azu, and other very important personalities.