The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to bolstering Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) in public irrigation schemes as part of its broader strategy to enhance food security and economic growth. This was highlighted by the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, during a South-South Regional Workshop on “Establishment and Strengthening of WUAs in Public Irrigation Schemes in Nigeria,” held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
In a press statement signed by the Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Funmi Imuetinyan, the minister emphasized the significance of participatory water management in maintaining Nigeria’s irrigation infrastructure. He noted that effective water management is crucial to addressing food insecurity, driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and empowering the youth under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
Goronyo stated, “Achieving sustainable food production and national food security is not possible without effective water management and the active involvement of water users. This makes the establishment and strengthening of WUAs essential.”
The minister pointed to the success of the World Bank-funded Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project as a model for WUA development. According to him, WUAs in public irrigation schemes under the TRIMING project have taken ownership of infrastructure, paid water service fees, and maintained irrigation systems, resulting in improved agricultural productivity.
He added, “The TRIMING project has demonstrated the importance of a well-structured institutional framework for irrigation management. Replicating its success across other public irrigation schemes is critical to achieving this administration’s food security objectives.”
Goronyo also praised the Director of Irrigation and Drainage at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Oyeronke Oluniyi, for her dedication to promoting irrigation initiatives and organizing the workshop.
The workshop aligns with the Federal Ministry’s efforts to support the government’s mission of ensuring food security and economic prosperity, with well-structured WUAs being key to the sustainability of irrigation systems and the nation’s agricultural growth.