By Anthony Ochela, Abuja
Federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen its bilateral relationship with the government of Hungary in the area of water resources management.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev made this known yesterday when the Hungarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Loránd Endreffy, accompanied by the Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Hungary, Ms Judit Beres, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
The minister emphasised the importance of proper coordination and thorough documentation to ensure seamless collaboration between both countries.
A statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Mrs Funmi Imuetinyan, said the minister directed that the necessary documents be submitted to facilitate the timely signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU.
He assured that all managing directors of water resources and sanitation agencies and relevant directors in the ministry would participate fully in the Nigerian–Hungarian Water Forum scheduled for November 4 in Abuja.
Earlier in his remarks, Ambassador Endreffy announced the forthcoming Nigerian-Hungarian Water Forum 2025, which will convene key stakeholders from Nigeria’s water sector and Hungarian companies with expertise in water engineering and treatment technologies.
The forum will feature high-level presentations on Nigeria’s water-related challenges and showcase innovative Hungarian solutions through case studies and technical sessions.
According to him, key themes include water security and capacity building, flood risk management, river training, rural water supply and climate resilience.
Highlight of the forum will include a technical presentation on Niger River Training and Flood Control Scheme, signing of a new MoU between the National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics, as well as the potential renewal of the existing Nigeria-Hungary MoU on water management.
