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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Alhaji Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has said that the Federal Government is set to transform National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna to a world class degree-awarding University.
Speaking during a familiarisation tour to NWRI in Kaduna, Alhaji Goronyo said after 44 years of its establishment, the only water institute in the country with the array of academics who are committed to their profession, revitalising the Institute to University in its areas of specialty will boost food security.
The minister added that it will also encourage youth inclusivity, and tackle unemployment and insecurity.
Goronyo stated that the visit was part of his tour to agencies under the Ministry to know what is on ground as part of efforts to achieve the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.
“This is the only institution running courses like hydro technology, hydro engineering, irrigation in Nigeria. From information available to me, it was established in 1979, it has to go beyond this and become a world class institution. We are trying to revitalise this place to become a world standard degree-awarding university. With the food security agenda of Mr President, the elevation of this institution would go a long way to address insecurity, unemployment, youth inclusivity. With the array of professors, doctors and staff committed to provide desired teaching and learning, it’s time for this institute to realise it’s mandate.
“I have seen the great achievement recorded by this institution but it can do more. I commend the DG for keeping this institute alive despite the meagre budget of the institute. We have seen the novel efforts in the area of hydro engineering technology, dam assessment and reservoirs.
“The institute is supposed to grow bigger instead of stagnating. Stakeholders should come here and get world class training for their staff. The managing directors of river basins should utilise the institute maximally because it has the technology that you cannot find anywhere.
“There are 12 river basins and a lot number of dams in Nigeria some of which have components of hydro and irrigation. We undertook this tour with a view to familiarise ourselves with what is on ground to prepare for the task ahead.
“Food security is the first on the eight points agenda of Mr President and it cannot be actualised without irrigational lands. The 12 river basins are enough to feed this country and even export. This school here has the capacity to provide the manpower needed to manage the basins and other water resource organisations,” the minister said.
Earlier, while addressing the minister and his entourage, the Director General National Water Resources Institute, Prof. Emmanuel Adanu lauded the cooperation and support of the staff and students of the institute, noting that, “We would have been able to achieve much more if not for the challenges inhibiting our activities such as paucity of funds and inadequate manpower.
“Our problem is that we need more staff to come and assist us, we need lots of female staff too especially in the area of analysis in the laboratory because females concentrate more and we need them. I would not say anything about money because the whole country needs money.”
