River basin holds management retreat for improved service delivery

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) organized a retreat for management staff to enhance service delivery in 2024.

The retreat is also geared towards a renewed commitment to intensify efforts in ensuring more food production in Nigeria in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Managing Director, Hadejia-Jama’are RBDA), Mr Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, said in his keynote address during a three-day- management retreat in Uyo on Wednesday.

Aliyu disclosed that the Commission has been able to inject about N198 billion over the years into the economy for agricultural development and irrigation, saying that it would sustain it for the well-being of the people. 

According to the managing director, the commission has captured N13 billion for irrigation development in 2024.

He said that priority shall be given to irrigated agriculture, employment generation, adequate funding and water supply.

Aliyu said that despite the challenges faced over the years by the commission, it was able to record the following achievements: the establishment of a Tissue culture laboratory; Engineering design office; Challawa Spring water plants; and Seed Multiplication and Processing centre among others.

“The future of the RBDAs is very much bright in the face of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr president with due priority given to adequate food production through both rainfed and irrigated agriculture, employment generation and water supply.

“The RBDAs must, however, try to overcome the multiple challenges facing them through efficiency in service delivery, to be able to regain the confidence of the communities they are serving and the government in general,” Aliyu said.

Aliyu added that the retreat was to assemble management staff to review its activities in 2023 and proffer possible solutions to emerging challenges confronting the Commission.

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline at the retreat, Mallam Jamilu Gwangwazo of the Nigeria Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Bagauda Lake Northwest campus, Kano state harped on the need for Nigerians to go for local recipe in agricultural production, that will be more hygienic, affordable and environmental friendly.

Gwangwazo, who presented a paper titled, “Healthy Living Tips Recipe of Affordable and Hygienic Diet in Nigeria”, urged Nigerians to embrace local food with high nutritional value.

“We want to remind people of this particular recipe, they are leaving behind, even during the time of our forefat”In terms of nutritional value, this local recipe has more nutritional value than some of these foreign expensive things because they are naturally created for us. 

“They contain all the nutrients that the body needs to function,” Gwangwazo said.

Our Correspondent  reports that the theme of the retreat is, “Water, Agriculture, Climate Change and Developmental Challenges in our Basins.”