Federal Gov't Charges River Basin Boards To Boost Food Security

Federal government has inaugurated the new governing boards and executive management teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), tasking them to spearhead efforts on food security, water resource management and rural development across the country.

Speaking during the ceremony in Abuja yesterday, the minister of water resources and sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, emphasised the critical role of the RBDAs in actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable water management.

“This retreat is a strategic onboarding process to acquaint you with the responsibilities of your new offices in alignment with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the minister stated.

He underscored the importance of mutual respect and collaboration between the boards and executive managements to achieve operational efficiency and set realistic targets.

Prof. Utsev highlighted several flagship initiatives under the RBDAs aimed at accelerating food security and socio-economic growth including the partial commercialisation and revitalisation programme designed to enhance the sustainability of RBDAs through public-private partnerships and the Songhai integrated farming model aimed at boosting food production and job creation.

Others include the graduate and youth empowerment programme focused on providing gainful employment opportunities for the unemployed and River Basin strategy for poverty alleviation utilising basin resources to train and empower farmers.

He also called for immediate attention to key areas such as adherence to financial regulations, implementation of performance management systems, integrated river basin management, farmland acquisition, and strengthening collaboration with state governments.

The permanent secretary in the ministry, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, in his welcome remarks, described the retreat as a strategic platform for fostering synergy and strengthening governance. He urged the new appointees to embrace visionary leadership to drive the water, agriculture, and rural development sectors forward.

Chairman of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority and coordinating chairman of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities, Dr. Amos Gizo, expressed strong commitment to advancing Nigeria’s water sector in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda

He assured that their work would go beyond the office, focusing on field activities like land acquisition and attracting investors to drive real development in the water sector.