By Emeagi Emeka Williams
The Co-founder of Global Initiative for Nigeria Development (GIND) has advised the Federal Government to urgently embrace professional contribution of technocrats in water resources in its efforts to ensure speedy reforms on food security for the country.
While applauding the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security as announced by President Bola Tinubu, Ale averred that such development is not new to the Nigerian populace, but noted that something novel and progressive has been added to it because it now included more than one Ministry, where coordination is key but a major concern.
Mr Micheal Ale, thanked the President of the Country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for thinking in this direction, adding that now, “ lt should no longer be business as usual in different ministries. Stakeholders invited and those not yet invited should be ready to play their role selflessly, “ he advised.
Speaking further in his release which was made available to news men in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Ale said: “State of emergency overrides other instructions and laid down principles, thus bypassing usual bureaucracy. But what can man do without water?
“The National Security council should invite the Water association for their contribution.“
Ale, who is also the National President of
Association of Waterwell Drilling Rig Owners and Practitioners (AWDROP) and doubles as the National Coordinator of Courageous Nigerian Livelihood Program. (CNL programme) in Nigeria, further stressed that irrigation alone using surface water cannot handle most of our peasant farmers’ needs and this wouldn’t be fair on farmers from other parts of the country.
His words:” Conjunctive use of both surface and groundwater is critical for sustainable food security and job creation. Engaging stakeholders in the water sector, especially practitioners within the Master drillers groups like AWDROP will safeguard the fund allotted for the project in food security. These stakeholders need not be left behind to provide affordable water for irrigation and livelihood, “ he concluded.
