The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, has officially inaugurated the newly appointed Governing Boards and Executive Management Teams of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs).
Speaking during the ceremony in Abuja on Friday, Utsev congratulated the appointees and underscored their critical role in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He urged them to uphold principles of performance, integrity, and innovation by setting clear strategic objectives and maintaining cooperative and respectful relationships with executive management to achieve tangible results.
The Minister stressed the importance of ethical leadership, regulatory compliance, and a solid understanding of the River Basin Act and the National Water Resources Master Plan. He noted that effective water resource management and expanded irrigation are essential for ensuring national food security.
“Appointees are expected to acquaint themselves with the ethical guidelines governing public service to foster integrity, accountability, and professionalism.”
“They should also become well-versed in the River Basin Act, the Water Resources Master Plan, and related policies to help define strategic directions and introduce innovations that can transform the sector,”Utsev said.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing irrigated agriculture across all RBDAs to support all-season farming and boost food production.
Utsev further highlighted several ongoing initiatives, including the partial commercialisation of the RBDAs and youth empowerment schemes, which are designed to enhance food security, generate employment, and alleviate poverty.
He encouraged the new leadership to pursue alternative funding avenues and embrace public-private partnerships to ensure financial sustainability.
“As a vital extension of the ministry, you are expected to uphold high standards in delivering on national development priorities. Synergy, innovation, and dedication will be key to your success,” he stated.
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In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, described the induction retreat organised for the board members as crucial for repositioning the sector to drive national growth. He congratulated the appointees and called for strategic leadership, collaboration, and fiscal discipline to achieve mandates related to food security, irrigation, access to clean water, and rural development.
Pheelangwah noted that the retreat would enhance synergy and deepen participants’ understanding of governance while urging them to align their work with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
Speaking on behalf of the 12 Managing Directors and executive teams, Abubakar Malam, Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the appointments.
He commended Professor Utsev’s leadership and acknowledged the support of the ministry’s permanent secretary and directors. Malam reaffirmed the commitment of the river basins to advancing food security, rural development, and economic empowerment in line with national priorities.
He added that the RBDAs play a pivotal role in grassroots transformation through agriculture, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation, and pledged that all agencies would work collaboratively to fulfil their mandates and justify the trust placed in them.
