NCWR&S holds its 31st regular meeting in A’Ibom

The National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWR&S), on Monday, commenced its 31st regular council meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with the theme, “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change.”

The Technical Session which was Chaired by Mr Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation urged council members to identify challenges and chart the way forward through the memoranda to be presented.

Pheelangwah opined that water, sanitation and food security are critical to the development of the nation.

The permanent secretary added that water, sanitation and food security directly affect public health, economic productivity and environmental sustainability. 

He tasked the National Technical Committee, who are on a five-day meeting to identify challenges and chart the way forward through the memoranda to be presented.

“The theme of this year’s Council meeting “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change” was carefully chosen to reflect the critical importance of water, food security and the negative impact of climate change on the people.

“The theme appears timely, as this could not have come at a better time than now.

“It is apt we keep meeting because, whatever it is we know today, may not stand the test tomorrow.

“Life keeps evolving, we must evolve with it or else, what we pride ourselves on knowing yesterday becomes obsolete today,” Pheelangwah said.

He noted that the recent declaration for a state of emergency on food security by President Bola Tinubu required relevant ministries and authorities to ensure adequate irrigation and cultivation of farmland for food production all year round.

The permanent secretary commended the Akwa Ibom Government and development partners for their unflinching support of the ministry.

In her remarks, Mrs Emah Udonsek, Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation said that water and food security were fundamental to human survival, economic development and environmental sustainability.

Udonsek said the theme was apt as it underscored the need and commitment to ensure sustainable water resources management and food security for Nigerians.

She said the theme also highlighted the urgent need for action, innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address the challenges caused by climate change.

She added that the future of food security and water availability is linked to the ability to adapt to climate change.

The meeting brought permanent secretaries and directors from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation across the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT, development partners and key stakeholders.

Goodwill messages were received from development partners and other key stakeholders during the opening of the technical session.