New River Basin Authorities Inaugurated To Boost Food Security And Water Management.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has charged the newly appointed Governing Boards and Executive Management teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) to prioritize food security, accountability, and sustainable water resources management. The minister made the call during a two-day inauguration and retreat ceremony in Abuja.
Utsev congratulated the appointees on their selection by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the appointments demonstrate the administration’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s water and agricultural sectors. He emphasized the importance of mutual respect, shared vision, and operational efficiency in the relationship between the Boards and Executive Management.
The minister highlighted the critical role of RBDAs in national development and urged the appointees to familiarize themselves with the River Basin Act, the Water Resources Master Plan, and relevant policies. He also stressed the need to expand irrigated farming across the RBDAs to achieve food security, a key presidential priority.
Utsev outlined key flagship initiatives being implemented through the RBDAs, including the Partial Commercialization and Revitalization Programme, the Songhai Integrated Farming Model, Graduate and Youth Empowerment Programme, and the River Basin Strategy for Poverty Alleviation. These initiatives aim to stimulate all-season agricultural activities and promote sustainable water resources management.
The inauguration marks a significant step towards improving Nigeria’s water and agricultural sectors, with the RBDAs playing a crucial role in driving development and food security across the country.
