By Stella Odueme
The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Bello Muhammad Goronyo Esq., has emphasized the importance of maintaining the ongoing collaboration between his ministry and the Hungarian Government as well as water resources stakeholders in effective water management.
The minister stated this when he hosted the Honorary Consul-General of Hungary, Mr. Endre. P. Deri, and his team including Engr. Ferenc Virach, who paid him a courtesy visit at the ministry in Abuja on Wednesday.
A statement on Thursday by the Director, Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan said that the minister recalled the previous agreements between the ministry and the Hungarian Ministry of Interior and University of Public Service in Hungary, which were aimed at establishing a framework for cooperation in water management.
While revealing that these efforts were interrupted by the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, he added that two sets of trainings were already accomplished, one in Nigeria and the other in Hungary.
He highlighted the significance of revisiting the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which encompasses critical aspects of River Basin Management planning, Waste and Water Management, and Water-related Educational Research and Development.
He underscored the importance of the involvement of key stakeholders, including the Attorney General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and others, in ensuring a comprehensive review of the document to kick start the necessary actions.
Goronyo emphasized that the revisitation of the MOU aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda for food security and flood control, which will ultimately benefiting all Nigerians.
In his remarks, Mr. Deri commended the minister for his commitment to revisiting the agreement between the two countries.
He highlighted the potential benefits of collaboration in water management, particularly in enhancing food security, flood mitigation, and educational development for young water engineers.
Mr. Deri equally stressed the potential impact of river trainings in expanding irrigable lands along the banks of Rivers Niger and Benue, leading to a significant increase in agricultural yields.
