Water Minister Praises Ogun–Oshun RBDA’s Food Security Drive, Urges Deeper Impact Through PPPs
The Ogun–Oshun River Basin Development Authority oversees water resources development and irrigation services across Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States, with a mandate to support agriculture, flood control and water supply in line with national food security and sanitation goals.
Abuja — The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, has commended the Ogun–Oshun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA) for its sustained efforts to boost food security, while urging the Authority to scale up its impact through strategic initiatives and private-sector partnerships.
Utsev gave the commendation on Tuesday at the opening of a two-day Management Retreat organised by O-ORBDA in Abuja, noting that the Authority’s interventions align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on agriculture, water resources development and food sufficiency.
The minister who is represented by the Director of Irrigation and Drainage in the Ministry, Engr. Mrs. Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi, FNSE, highlighted that the key projects being implemented by the River Basin Authority, including the construction of up to 300 greenhouses—over 70 of which have already been completed—aimed at improving year-round agricultural production.
She is pictured here delivering the Honourable Minister’s opening remarks.
While acknowledging these achievements, Utsev charged the Authority to pursue greater and more sustainable impact by enhancing its internally generated revenue, redeveloping existing assets and leveraging the ongoing partial commercialisation of River Basin Development Authorities to attract private-sector investment through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
The Minister emphasised the need for teamwork, capacity building, strategic planning and sustainability, expressing confidence that the retreat would produce actionable outcomes capable of empowering more farmers, expanding irrigated agricultural land and ensuring affordable food sufficiency for Nigerians.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of the O-ORBDA Board, Hon. Segun Odebunmi, said the retreat was designed to strengthen collaboration between management and staff, stressing that improved procurement processes are vital to the Authority’s success and alignment with the Ministry’s vision for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector.
He said expected outcomes of the retreat include improved organisational performance, enhanced operational efficiency, expanded irrigation for food security, increased investment through PPPs, job creation, and strengthened water supply and sanitation services.
READ ALSO: FG Urges Collective Action to Rebuild Nigeria’s Global Reputation
Ashiru expressed appreciation to the Minister, the Board Chairman and members, and the Director-General of the BPP for their support, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to institutional excellence, public trust and the successful implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The retreat was attended by Executive Directors of the River Basin Authority, a representative of the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Engr. Isaiah Yesufu, resource persons from the Bureau, as well as Directors and Deputy Directors of O-ORBDA.
About The Author
