12 River Basins Focused Towards Enhancing Food Production, Rural Economy and Poverty Reduction
By Abubakar Malam, MFR
On behalf of the Managing Directors and Management Teams of all the 12 River Basin Development Authorities, I wish to express our profound appreciation to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for finding us worthy of appointment as Managers and gatekeepers of the nation’s food security initiative.
Similarly, we appreciate the Hon Minister of Water Resources Engr Prof Joseph Utsev for his purposeful leadership and guidance to us. Special appreciation to the Permanent Secretary Director of River Basins and other Directors of the Ministry for their unflinching support at all times.
I would like to remind us that translating the vision of Mr President in promoting food security, rural development, empowerment and sustainable rural economic growth is a task ahead of us as our organizations were specifically established to champion the cause of grassroots development.
I wish to assure His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Hon Minister of Water Resources and Rural Development, All APC Governors, National and States APC Leaderships that all the 12 River Basins will collaborate and work in unison to realize the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in our respective areas of mandate.
We are mindful of the facts that our organizations are grassroots focussed with a clear direction veered towards enhancing food production, improving rural economy, facilitating rural infrastructure and poverty reduction : therefore, it is pertinent to express our firm commitment to the realization of the core objectives of establishing the 12 River Basins in the Country and equally wish to assure Mr President and the Hon Minister that we will justify the confidence reposed on us by working assiduously towards ensuring successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda in our respective States of coverage.
With all the 12 River Basin Development Authorities fully active, Mr President should rest assured that 2027 is confidently guaranteed, I therefore urge all our respective managements to fine-tune our strategies towards ensuring successful attainment of food security and economic gains through various Agricultural investments embedded in the 12 River Basin Development Authorities.
Once again I thank you most profoundly: wishing us a successful tenure of office and safe return to our respective destinations.
The Shettima Gwandu is the managing director/chief executive of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority and chairman of Managing Directors Forum