Rivers Basins injects N198bn into Nigeria economy for agricultural development

The River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) has injected at least N198 billion into the Nigerian economy for agricultural development and irrigation, saying that it would sustain the commission for the wellbeing of the people.

The Managing Director, Mr Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu made the disclosure, in his keynote address during a three-day retreat for RBDA management staff to enhance service delivery in 2024.

Aliyu in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Wednesday.

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.

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

Aliyu said that in spite of the challenges faced over the years by the commission, it was able to record the following achievements; establishment of Tissue culture laboratory; Engineering design office; Challawa Spring water plants; 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 RBDA must however, try to overcome the multiple challenges facing them through efficiency in service delivery, so as to be able to regain the confidence of the communities they are serving and the government in general,” Aliyu maintained.

He 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 with the theme: “Water, Agriculture, Climate Change and Developmental Challenges in our Basins”, Mallam Jamilu Gwangwazo of the Nigeria Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Bagauda Lake Northwest campus, Kano state stressed 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 forefathers, they used this local recipe and they even lived more healthier than the people are living nowadays.

“In terms of nutritional value, these local recipes have 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 stated.