By Fatima Saka
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has identified flooding as a significant challenge affecting farmers in the region.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday after defending the agency’s budget, Prince Amgbare emphasized the unpredictable nature of flooding and its devastating impact on agriculture.
“Flooding is a major problem,” he said. “If farmers don’t time their planting properly, they risk losing everything. Sometimes, floods come unexpectedly. People assume that a particular year will not see severe flooding, but then it turns out to be devastating.”
Beyond flooding, Prince Amgbare highlighted inadequate funding as another major challenge. He stressed the unique terrain of the Niger Delta, which makes project execution more expensive compared to other parts of the country.
READ ALSO: FG Urges Health Institutions to Prioritize Efficient Service Delivery
Strong Political Will Needed to End Open Defecation in Nigeria – FG highlights
“Our terrain is a special one, and we need more funds. Transporting materials in a riverine environment is costly and challenging,” he explained. “The cost of executing projects in Sokoto, for example, cannot be the same as in Bayelsa or Rivers State.”
He assured that the agency had presented these challenges to the relevant committee, which had promised to provide support.
