Water, Sanitation, Food Security Critical to National Development – Pheelangwah
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Richard Pheelangwah has opined that water, sanitation and food security are critical to the development of Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary said this at the 31st regular meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWRS) holding in Uyo from Monday 27th – Friday 31st January, 2025.
The theme for this year’s Council meeting is “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change.”
The Permanent Secretary, who doubles as the Chairman of the Council said water, sanitation and food security directly affect public health, economic productivity and environmental sustainability.
He tasked the National Technical Committee, who are on a five day meeting to identify challenges and chart the way forward through the memoranda to be presented.
“The theme of this year’s Council meeting ‘Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change’ was carefully chosen to reflect the critical importance of water, food security and the negative impact of climate change on the people”.
“The theme appears timely, as this could not have come at a better time than now.
It is apt we keep meeting because, whatever it is we know today, may not stand the test tomorrow”.
“Life keeps evolving, we must evolve with it or else, what we pride ourselves of knowing yesterday becomes obsolete today,” he said.
He noted that the recent declaration for a state of emergency on food security by President Bola Tinubu required relevant ministries and authorities to ensure adequate irrigation and cultivation of farmland for food production all year round. 
The Permanent Secretary commended the Akwa Ibom Government and development partners for their unflinching support to the ministry.
Mrs Emah Udonsek, Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in her welcome address said that water and food security were fundamental to human survival, economic development and environmental sustainability.
Udonsek said the theme was apt as it underscored the need and commitment to ensure sustainable water resources management and food security for Nigerians.
She said the theme also highlighted the urgent need for action, innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address the challenges caused by climate change.
She added that the future of food security and water availability is linked to the ability to adapt to climate change.
Presenting his goodwill message, a Program Manager in Nigeria’s Country Office of UNICEF, Mr Chiranjibi Tiwari urged the government at all levels to create an environment where all stakeholders, including the local community stakeholders can participate and contribute meaningfully to the development process.
Goodwill messages were equally received from other development partners and key stakeholders during the opening of the technical session.
