The Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed that it was set for the commercialisation of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDA) in order to enable them to effectively deliver on their mandate to the people.
The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, made the disclosure in Benin at a press briefing which formed part of the activities of the ongoing 10th National Water Conference.
The minister, who was represented by the Director, River Basin Operations and Inspection, Mr John Ochigbo, also noted that commercialising the Basins would enable it to generate more revenue for the government.
While noting that the 12 RBDAs were almost comatose before 2016, he said that they had been repositioned for greater efficiency by having professionals manage their affairs.
The minister noted that the huge infrastructure available in the Basins would guarantee a return on investment for the investors.
According to him, “The Federal Government has approved the commercialisation of the RBDA to ensure that they have sustainable operations and management of their infrastructure.
“The Basins have huge infrastructures like water supply schemes, dams, and irrigation infrastructure that requires good funding to be able to keep them running and to provide dividend for Nigerians.
“We are inviting the private sector to key into this window of opportunity that has been provided for them.”
He further said that as part of efforts to reposition the Basins, its agriculture mandate had been returned
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Professor Emmanuel Adanu, has called for the strengthening of the Basins for optimal performance.
Adanu who bemoaned the lack of realistic data on the availability, accessibility, and affordability of water in the country, called for an effort to ensure sustainable management of water resources in the country.
He noted that the passage of the water resources bill before the National Assembly was crucial in turning around the water sector of the country.
“The merits of the bill are so much and we believe that when it is passed and signed into law, it is going to transform the water sector” he stated.
On his part, Mr Saliu Ahmed, Managing Director, Benin Owina River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), said deliberate effort needed to be made to regulate water resources.
According to him, “Nigeria cannot afford to be blind to the issues of regulating its water resources development and management, be it from abstraction to handling and conveyance.
“For equitable access to water for all to be guaranteed, we must regulate and manage our resources through adequate legislation.
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