Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has said that Edo State is ready to collaborate with the federal government in the areas of food security, water supply and sanitation.
Obaseki made this known, on Thursday 9th November 2023, at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, who was accompanied by other executive members of his ministry.
The Governor who was delighted with the approach of the Minister in kicking off the collaboration drive early on in his administration, was optimistic that, given the Minister’s background and accomplishments, he would be able to bring in a fresh perspective and new energy to the job, in order to accomplish the goal for which the Ministry was set up.
According to Obaseki, “We are really looking up to you, because as you know, we are at the crossroads in Nigeria. And one thing we cannot continue to do is continue as if things are okay. 30 to 40 years ago when the agenda was set, when this strategy was designed to feed the country using our water bodies, with the River Basin Authority, it was a different society, different demographics and different needs.
“And 40 to 50 years later, you will agree with me that things have changed, and we need to have a radical re-think, first, on how we approach the issues, particularly of water sufficiency for our development”.
Speaking further, Obaseki assured of the state’s commitment to supporting and ensuring the actualization of the projects by the federal government, while noting that both the state and the federal government would have to synergize and develop a well domesticated and sustainable plans for the projects.
Obaseki said: “What my experience as a Governor has been, is that within government, government does not align. We do not talk to each other. I am sure if you ask Agric what Water Resources is doing, they will be struggling for an answer. That gap in internal communication is what my administration has tried to bridge.
“If we have such disconnect internally, you can imagine the disconnect between the federal and the state. And this is part of the challenge we are facing in the country today, which I believe someone like you coming fresh, will be dispassionate about.
“Let us look at it. It is about Nigeria, about the interest of our country. It is about how to grow food and how to use our water bodies a lot more efficiently for the benefit of many more of us. So I think it is that freshness, that energy that you bring in that I am very excited about. I would really like to work with you and cooperate with you”.
The visit concluded after the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki gave the Minister a gift to mark the ongoing Alaghodaro Summit in the state. Additionally, the occasion also served as the celebration of Governor Godwin Obaseki’s 7 years anniversary in office.