The Cross River State Government has sought collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government in a bid to address food security, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the state.
This call was made in Calabar recently by Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State while playing host to the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Bello Goronyo, in his office.
He described water as “one of the most important components of food production”, and lauded the federal government’s effort in improving water resources, especially in the River Basins.
Governor Otu explained, “We in Cross River are open to more River Basins. We are carrying out feasibility studies on two or three locations. That was why immediately after the inauguration of the State Executive Council, we made sure that members quickly aligned with ministers at the federal level to understand the programme of the Federal Government on board and possible areas of synergy with the view to bring the needed benefits for Cross Rivererians,”.
He further remarked that though as a subnational, Cross River runs a “Renewed Hope” Agenda that is rooted in people-oriented policies and programmes that must be felt by the grassroots masses for more effects.
“We want to ensure food security as quickly as possible. Once there is food security, there is a guarantee for the security of almost every other segment of society,” he said.
It is on these premises that we are working hard to improve sanitation and hygiene and once we can work to eradicate open defecation from Cross River State, our mission will be easily accomplished.
This is why “we require your ministry’s support and also seek collaborations with relevant MDAs like the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to enable us to achieve our set objectives”, he added.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Hon. Bello Goronyo, who lauded the governor for his leadership disposition, said his team was in Calabar on a familiarization visit to the River Basin.
Goronyo noted that there are several projects to be carried out by his ministry in partnership with the state government while commending Governor Otu for budgetary provision as counterpart funding for the projects billed to be executed in the state.
He was reassured of his ministry’s support for the delivery of projects that would enhance the living standard of the people.