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Tag: River Basin Development Authorities

  • River basin appointees storm SGF’s office over delayed appointment letters

    River basin appointees storm SGF’s office over delayed appointment letters

    Frustration and tension are escalating as members of the management teams of Nigeria’s 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) continue to besiege the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in Abuja, demanding their long-awaited appointment letters.

    The officials, who were appointed on December 18, 2024, have now spent over ten weeks waiting to formally assume their roles. 

    Initially, many of them traveled individually to Abuja, made inquiries, and left empty-handed. 

    However, in recent weeks, their approach has become more coordinated, with groups gathering before heading to the SGF’s office en masse.

    “The excuses have run out. At first, we were told there were minor inaccuracies that needed to be corrected. Then, specific dates were given for the release of the letters—but those deadlines came and went. Now, it feels like something else is at play”, said a source familiar with the matter. 

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    The prolonged delay has forced many appointees to remain in Abuja, incurring substantial personal expenses on hotel bills. 

    With no official explanation forthcoming, frustration has turned into apprehension, leading the appointees to escalate their efforts.

    A source within the SGF’s office questioned the rationale behind withholding the letters. 

    “It is hard to understand why the SGF’s office has failed to give the appointment letters to the members of the 12 River Basin Authority Boards, especially as this action is definitely sabotaging the results the Tinubu administration expects from the River Basins”, the source said.

    Beyond the personal inconvenience to the appointees, industry experts warn that the delay is crippling the operational capacity of the River Basin Authorities. 

    A senior official familiar with the situation highlighted the gravity of the problem.

    “These people are not just ordinary board members—they are the management teams, including the Managing Directors of the River Basin Development Authorities.

    “Without them in place, the day-to-day running of these agencies is significantly hampered”, he said. 

    The River Basin Development Authorities play a crucial role in Nigeria’s food security strategy, providing support for farmers through research, infrastructure development, and market linkages. 

    Their work is especially vital for dry-season farming, as they oversee large areas of arable land and small-scale dams across the country.

    “Apart from ensuring sustainable water access for agriculture, the River Basins can help stabilize Nigeria’s food supply, attract investment, create jobs, and contribute to overall economic stability,” the source added.

    With mounting pressure and no clear communication from the SGF’s office, uncertainty looms over the fate of the appointees and the efficiency of the River Basin Authorities. 

    Observers are now questioning whether the Tinubu administration will intervene to resolve the impasse before it further disrupts agricultural and economic progress.

  • Engineers fault River Basin Development Authorities appointments

    Engineers fault River Basin Development Authorities appointments

    The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has expressed concerns over the Federal Government’s recent appointments of non-engineers to critical positions that require professional engineering expertise.

    The society specifically pointed out the appointments made within the newly reconstituted Executive Management of the twelve River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

    According to the NSE, many of the individuals appointed to senior engineering roles, such as Executive Director, Engineering, and Executive Director, Planning and Design, lack the necessary qualifications and professional credentials.

    The society’s findings revealed that only four of the appointments were allocated to qualified engineers.

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    NSE President, Mrs. Margret Oguntala, voiced her concerns over the implications of these appointments for Nigeria’s water resources management and the long-term sustainability of the sector. She emphasized that the River Basin Development Authorities play a crucial role in managing the country’s water resources, which are vital for agriculture, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

    Oguntala stressed that the leadership of such institutions must be composed of individuals with the technical expertise and professional qualifications needed to tackle the challenges faced in the sector. She warned that appointing individuals without the requisite engineering qualifications undermines the integrity of the institutions and hampers their ability to fulfill their mandates effectively.

    The NSE also raised questions about the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining professional standards in governance, especially in sectors that have a direct impact on the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

    The society called for broader public awareness and collaboration to promote the appointment of qualified professionals in leadership roles across Nigeria’s public sector, in line with established laws. NSE remains dedicated to advocating for the advancement of the engineering profession and the well-being of its members and the nation.

    The NSE urged the Federal Government to reconsider the appointments and ensure that the leadership positions in the River Basin Development Authorities are filled by qualified engineers, advocating for transparency and consultations in the appointment process.

  • JUST IN: Tinubu reconstitutes leadership of 12 river basin devt authorities

    JUST IN: Tinubu reconstitutes leadership of 12 river basin devt authorities

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the reconstitution of the executive management teams for 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, signaling his administration’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency of these critical organizations.

    The newly appointed executives are expected to leverage their expertise to boost agricultural productivity, manage water resources, and foster rural development in alignment with the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

    The new appointments were made public on Wednesday in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

    The appointments reflect a commitment to regional representation and technical expertise, aimed at enhancing water resource management and agricultural productivity.

    The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, covering Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, and Osun states, will now be led by Hon. Odebunmi Olusegun (Chairman, Oyo), Engr. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru (Managing Director, Osun), Ayo Oyalowo (Executive Director, Finance, Oyo), Dokunmu Olufemi Oyekunle (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Ogun), Suleiman Oris (Executive Director, Agric Services, Lagos), and Engr. Julius Oloro (Executive Director, Engineering, Lagos).

    In the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, serving Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi states, the team includes Alh. Sanusi Mohammed Babantanko (Chairman, Bauchi), Samuel Mahmud Mohammed (Managing Director, Taraba), Hon. Usman Babandubu Bakare (Executive Director, Engineering, Taraba), Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo (Executive Director, Finance, Gombe), Hon. Isa Matori (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Bauchi), and Hamman Dikko (Executive Director, Agric Services, Adamawa).

    For the Chad Basin Development Authority, covering Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa, the appointed members are Prof. Abdu Dauda (Chairman, Borno), Tijjani Musa Tumsa (Managing Director, Yobe), Barr. Bashir Baale (Executive Director, Finance, Yobe), Iliyasu Muazu (Executive Director, Agric Services, Adamawa), Engr. Mohammed Shetima (Executive Director, Engineering, Borno), and Vrati Nzonzo (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Borno).

    The Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, which oversees Edo, Delta North, Ondo, and Ekiti, has Hon. Mike Ohio Ezomo (Chairman, Edo), Femi Adekanbi (Managing Director, Ondo), Dr. Austin Nonyelim Izagbo (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Delta), Hon. Johnson Oghuma (Executive Director, Agric Services, Edo), Adegboyega Bamisile (Executive Director, Finance, Ekiti), and Bayode Akinduro (Executive Director, Engineering, Ondo).

    In the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, which serves Rivers, Bayelsa, and Delta states, Chief (Barr.) Ebikemi Boi Bosin (Chairman, Delta), Hon. Amgbare Ebitimi (Managing Director, Bayelsa), Chief (Mrs.) Mary Alagoa (Executive Director, Finance, Rivers), Dr. Austin N. Izagbo (Executive Director, Engineering, Delta), Mr. Felix Kurogha (Executive Director, Agric Services, Bayelsa), and Barr. (Dr.) Nnamdi Akani (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Rivers) will lead the team.

    The Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, covering Niger, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), includes Haruna Y. Usman (Chairman, Niger), Dangajere Shuaibu Bawa Jaja (Managing Director, Kaduna), Mohammed Usma (Executive Director, Finance, Niger), Dr. Abdullahi A. Kutso (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Niger), Ayuba Waziri Tedde (Executive Director, Agric Services, FCT), and John Hassan (Executive Director, Engineering, Kaduna).

    For the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, which operates in Kwara and Kogi states, Alh. Abdullateef Alakawa (Chairman, Kwara), Engr. George Olumoroti (Managing Director, Kogi), Engr. Babajamu Adeniran (Executive Director, Engineering, Kwara), Hon. Abdullahi Sadiq (Executive Director, Agric Services, Kogi), Engr. Alanamu Ayinla Abolere (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Kwara), and Hon. Abidemi Adeyemi (Executive Director, Finance, Kogi) are appointed.

    In the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority, which serves Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Kogi states, Dr. Amos Gizo Yadukso (Chairman, Plateau), Engr. Ninga Terese (Managing Director, Benue), Chief Chris Takar (Executive Director, Engineering, Benue), Hon. Yusuf Omaaki (Executive Director, Finance, Nasarawa), Hon. Hassan Omale (Executive Director, Agric Services, Kogi), and Okibe Timothy Ogomola (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Benue) will provide leadership.

    The Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority, covering Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi states, is headed by Senator Emmanuel Anosike (Chairman, Anambra), Rt. Hon. Emeka Nduka (Managing Director, Imo), Nwebonyi Priscilla Nkechi (Executive Director, Finance, Ebonyi), Hon. Evaristus Asadu (Executive Director, Engineering, Enugu), Barr. Onukwubiri N.Ojigwe (Executive Director, Agric Services, Abia), and Barr. Abigail Igwe (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Anambra).

    In the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, serving Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi states, Mamman Da’u Aliyu (Chairman, Jigawa), Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi (Managing Director, Kano), Tijjani Musa Isa (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Jigawa), Hajiya Zainab Gamawa (Executive Director, Agric Services, Bauchi), Baffa Dandatti Abdulkadir (Executive Director, Engineering, Kano), and Hon. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso (Executive Director, Finance, Kano) will oversee operations.

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    For the Cross River Basin Development Authority, which oversees Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, the appointees are Mr. Wabilly Nyiam (Chairman, Cross River), Mrs. Glory Ekpo Oho (Managing Director, Akwa Ibom), Effiwatt Otu Eyo (Executive Director, Finance, Cross River), Ms. Ebiere Etuk Udoh (Executive Director, Agric Services, Akwa Ibom), Engr. Charles Usua Akpan (Executive Director, Engineering, Akwa Ibom), and Dr. Ndom Abia (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Akwa Ibom).

    Finally, the Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority, covering Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina states, will be led by Hon. Bello Yahaya Wurno (Chairman, Sokoto), Abubakar Mallam (Managing Director, Kebbi), Kabiru Ladan Maigoro (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Zamfara), Abubakar Ibrahim (Executive Director, Finance, Katsina), Muttaka Badaru Jikamshi (Executive Director, Agric Services, Katsina), and Mansur Aminu (Executive Director, Engineering, Zamfara).

    President Tinubu expressed confidence that the appointees would bring their wealth of experience to bear in improving the efficiency and productivity of the RBDAs for the benefit of all Nigerians.