The Federal Government and Imo State have agreed to work together to achieve food security and end open defecation in the state.
The agreement was reached during a courtesy call on the Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma by the Miniser of Water Resources and Sanitation Engineer Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev at the Imo State Government House Owerri in continuation of his familiarisation visit to the River Basins in the country.
Speaking during the visit, Professor Utsev told the Governor that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a charge to the twelve River Basin Development Authorities under his Ministry to put the five hundred thousand hecters of irrigable land into cultivation to produce more foods to feed the nation and it was against this backdrop that he was in his office to request for more agricultural lands in the state and approval of title deeds for the lands that have already been acquired from communities to expand irrigation farming and make food sufficient to all citizens.
Professor Utsev added that the country has set a target to end open defecation by the year two thousand and twenty five and there was a compelling need for states , local governments and all citizens to join hands with the federal government to achieve the target and end the unhealthy practice that is causing harm to the human health and environment.
The Minister explained that the intervention of his Ministry through the Anambra Imo River Basin Development Authority in the catchment areas of Imo, Anambra, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States covers water supply and irrigation schemes, dams , reservoirs, sanitation facilities and erosion control structures.
Responding, the Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma who acknowledged that the intervention of the Imo Anambra River Basin Development Authority in water sector has significantly improved water supply to communities in the state, assured the Minister that his state is ready to provide all that is needed to ensure food security in the country adding that the partnership between his state and federal government will also enable Owerri town enjoy steady electricity supply through hydropower .
Professor Utsev also paid homage to the Chairman Imo State Council of Chiefs and spiritual head of the South East His Royal Majesty Eze Emmanuel Okeke during which he appealed to him to prevail on his subjects to support the campaign against open defecation in his domain.
