By Abbas Nazil
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Pheelangwah, has warned against trifling with the issues of water, sanitation, and food security.
Pheelangwah says such issues are pivotal to Nigeria’s development.
Speaking during the 31st regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWR&S) in Uyo, the permanent secretary stressed that water, sanitation abd food security sectors influence public health, economic productivity, and environmental sustainability.
The meeting, themed “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change,” convened to address pressing issues related to sustainable water management and food production in Nigeria.
Pheelangwah, who also chairs the council, highlighted the critical timing of the theme, noting that climate change’s adverse effects on water resources and food systems necessitate innovative and collaborative solutions.
He called on the National Technical Committee to analyze the challenges facing water, sanitation, and food security and to propose actionable solutions.
The committee’s five-day session will focus on crafting policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on these sectors.
“The theme of this year’s council meeting was carefully chosen to reflect the critical importance of water and food security, especially in the face of climate change,” Pheelangwah said.
“It is important that we continue to meet because what we know today may not hold tomorrow. Life evolves, and we must evolve with it, or risk obsolescence.”
The Permanent Secretary also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of a state of emergency on food security.
He emphasized the need for coordinated action among ministries and stakeholders to improve irrigation systems and ensure year-round farming to boost food production.
ItPheelangwah commended Akwa Ibom state government and development partners for their support in addressing water and sanitation challenges, which are vital to achieving national sustainability goals.
In her remarks, Mrs. Emah Udonsek, Permanent Secretary of the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, reinforced the significance of the theme.
She pointed out that water and food security are fundamental to human survival, economic growth, and environmental resilience.
“The theme underscores the urgent need for action, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change,” Udonsek said.
She further emphasized that the nation’s ability to adapt to climate change will determine its success in ensuring sustainable water resources and food security.
