The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, has distributed a range of economic empowerment items to hundreds of women, youths, and persons with physical challenges in Benue State.The presentation ceremony took place on Saturday in Makurdi, where Prof. Utsev commended the beneficiaries for their resilience and ongoing support for President Bola Tinubu, Senator George Akume, and the All Progressives Congress (APC).The Minister stated that the initiative was designed to promote irrigation farming in the state, aligning with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve national food security. He added that the program aims to encourage commercial agriculture, boost transport businesses, and reduce youth restiveness.The distributed items included five Toyota Corolla cars, 120 motorcycles, 120 sewing machines, 120 grinding machines, 150 irrigation water pumps, communication gadgets, and other materials.Speaking on broader national water projects, Prof. Utsev mentioned that the Ministry has constructed dams in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones to enhance irrigation and water supply. Some of these dams, he noted, are also intended to mitigate the annual flooding experienced in several states.He further highlighted that 138 mini water schemes have been completed in Benue State to improve water access in rural communities, with additional ongoing projects across all 23 Local Government Areas to eliminate water scarcity.The Minister urged continued support for President Tinubu in the upcoming 2027 elections and encouraged those yet to register to obtain their voter cards.Prof. Utsev also expressed gratitude to Senator George Akume for recommending him for various roles, including Commissioner in Benue, Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.Mrs. Awuese Torheer, the APC State Woman Leader, spoke on behalf of the women beneficiaries, praising the Minister for his support and noting that his efforts exceeded those of many elected officials.Mr. Mkav Pepe, the APC Chairman for Buruku Local Government, also thanked the Minister on behalf of all beneficiaries and pledged continued support for the APC in future elections.