FG Inaugurates Governing Boards, Management Of River Basin Development Authorities
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Federal Government has Inaugurated the newly appointed Chairmen of Governing Boards and Executive Management Team of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), in line with the food security and renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, performed the formal Inauguration of the Board during a Retreat organized by the Ministry for the Governing Boards and Executive Management on Friday in Abuja.
TheFact Daily reports that the twelve (12) RBDAs have been operating for sometimes now without a board, impeding effective water resource management across the country.
Speaking at the epoch-making event, Prof. Utsev thanked President Bola Tinubu for making the long-awaited aspiration of having a functional Board a reality, affirming that the bold gesture underscores his demonstration of visionary leadership and commitment to the effective administration of the nation’s River Basin Development Authorities.
The Minister recalled the performance Bond signed by the Ministry in November 2023 as one of the strategic mediums adopted by the Government to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda and deliver on promises made to the Nigerian populace by enhancing accountability, improving performance, and focusing on results.
He noted that meeting up the commitment would require reasonable contributions from the River Basin Development Authorities, therefore, charged all the new appointees to work assiduously towards meeting the targets set for the respective Authorities.
While stating that the Ministry considers the Rivers Board Development Agencies as a strategic representation of its values, goals, and objectives, the Minister urged them to frantically uphold the standards and reputations of the water sector to enable them achieve effective water resources management, sustainable development, and service delivery, announcing that modalities have been put in place to assess and reward performance and address underperforming RBDAs.
He informed the Boards and Executive Management of some flagship programmes initiated by the Ministry that are being implemented through the River Basin Development Authorities towards accelerating food security, job creation, empowerment, and socio-economic growth.
These are: Partial commercialization and revitalization programme for sustainability of the RBDAs; Songhai Integrated Farming Model to enhance food production and job creation; Graduates and Youths Empowerment Programme to provide gainful employment for the unemployed; and River Basin Strategy for Poverty Alleviation, utilizing the basin resources to train and empower farmers.
He urged them to vigorously pursue the successful implementation of these initiatives as they explore other innovative ways towards fast-tracking development in their respective Authorities.
Other areas include: Mainstreaming of Integrated River Basin Management principles and practices at the catchment levels in the RBDAs; Improving farmland acquisition, development, and utilization by acquiring more farmland and perfecting both old and new Title Deeds); Improving collaboration with your catchment State Governments to enhance visibility and project ownerships; Increase irrigated agricultural activities and enhance support to farmers; Compliance with Administrative Guidelines and Procedures in Public Service; Strict adherence to Procurement Due Process and Financial Regulations; Implementation of the new Performance Management System (PMS); and Prioritize staff capacity building and welfare.
He also urged the Boards and Management to collectively look inward and identify other sources of funding innovative projects aside from the traditional budget system to shore up the revenue base of their respective Authorities for sustainable operations.
To further emphasize the need to explore alternative funding sources, he said, the Federal Government has approved the partial commercialisation programme for the twelve (12) RBDAs to strengthen operational efficiency by leveraging on public-private sector partnerships and funding for revitalization of the country’s agricultural landscape for self-reliance and economic development.
In his Welcome Remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, said that the River Basin Development Authorities are important institutions in the Federal Government’s efforts to improve food production, access to irrigation, access to portable water, job creation, and income generation, especially in the rural communities.
Therefore, he stated that achieving these positive economic components heavily depends on the commitment of the Boards and Executive Management in setting priorities, ensuring financial prudence, enhancing transparency, and delivering tangible results.
While congratulating the Governing Board, Managing Directors, and Executive Directors on the recent appointment, Mr. Pheelangwah said the appointment was coming at a time when the nation needs strategic and sectoral players with great vision, especially in the critical sectors of water resources, agriculture, food security, rural development.
He emphasised that the retreat was conceived not merely as an orientation exercise but as a strategic platform for fostering synergy, strengthening governance, and deepening their understanding regarding the mandates, responsibilities, and expectations associated with the respective appointments.
“It is designed to stimulate responsive and collective capacities to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
“Over the next two days, we shall explore some key thematic areas, including the role of good leadership and government regulations, integrated river basin management for revitalizing the sector, understanding basic procedural standards and operational guidelines that would enhance a sound administrative system,” he said.
The newly inaugurated Chairmen of Governing Boards of RBDAs are: Dr. Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, Dr. Amos Yadukso, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, Alh. Sanusi Tako, Chief Odebunmi Olusegun, Hon. Gidado Alakawa, Hon. Mike Ohio-Ezomo, Prof. Abdu Dauda, Hon. Bello Wurno, Chief Ebikemi, Hon. Haruna Dangajere, and Wabilly Nyiam.
The newly inaugurated Managing Directors of RBDAs are: Chief Mrs. Glory Oho, Engr. Ninga Terese, Abubakar Mallam, Mahmud Muhammed, Hon. Prince Amgbare, Aliyu Abdullah, Engr. Adedeji Ashiru, Tijiani Musa Tumsa, Rabiu Yusuf, Rt. Hon. Anthony Nduka, Engr. Olumoroti George, and Dr. Adekanmbi Olufemi.
