The Federal Government has expressed determination to collaborate with EGTA Investment Ltd to bolster food production through irrigated agriculture and dam facilities across the country.
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo made this known when he received the outgoing Egyptian Defense Attaché, Staff Brigadier General Ahmed Fouad Ibrahim, and the incoming Egyptian Defense Attaché, Staff Colonel Muhammad Ibrahim, alongside the Group Managing Director of EGTA Investment Limited, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, and the President of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Aminu Muhammed, during a courtesy visit at his office on Thursday in Abuja.
The Director of Information and Public Relations of the Ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan in a statement said, discussions centered around collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda through enhanced irrigation and dam infrastructure.
Highlighting the potential impact, Rt. Hon. Goronyo emphasized the significant opportunities within the irrigated value chain to boost food production, foster job creation, and stimulate economic growth across Nigeria.
Expressing his commitment to ensuring seamless collaboration, the Honourable Minister of State urged that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is being developed, be vetted by relevant legal authorities to ensure land suitability and the absence of encumbrances that could impede progress.
In response, the Group Managing Director of EGTA Investment Ltd., Dr. Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, underscored the importance of leveraging simple and cost-effective irrigation techniques to empower smallholder farmers. He confirmed the readiness of the MOU pending endorsement, marking a pivotal step towards initiating joint projects.
Speaking during the visit, Engr. Mrs. Oyeronke Oluniyi, FNSE, Director of Irrigation and Drainage at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, stressed the need for tailored irrigation methods, considering operational costs and ensuring farmer training for sustainable project outcomes. She highlighted the crucial roles of Water Users Associations and the TRIMING Project in enhancing irrigation practices among farmers.
Echoing support for the partnership, Engr. Ali Dallah, Director of Dams and Reservoirs at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, affirmed that national dam infrastructure would play a crucial role in supporting greenfield projects, irrigation schemes, and development across the country.
The meeting highlighted a shared commitment to advancing collaborative efforts that will contribute significantly to Nigeria’s agricultural sector and overall economic development.
