The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, made the disclosure in Benin at a press briefing which formed part of activities of the ongoing 10th National Water Conference.Represented by the Director, River Basin Operations and Inspection, Mr John Ochigbo, he also noted that commercialising the Basins will enable it generate more revenue for the government.While noting that the twelve RBDA were almost comatose before 2016, he said they have been repositioned for greater efficiency by having professionals manage its affairs.
The minister noted that the huge infrastructure available in the Basins would guarantee return on investment for the investors.
According to him, “The federal government has approved the commercialisation of the RBDA to ensure that they have sustainable operations and management of their infrastructure. “The Basins have huge infrastructure like water supply schemes, dams and irrigation infrastructure that requires good funding to be able to keep them running and to provide dividend for Nigerians.”We are inviting the private sector to key into this window of opportunity that have been providedfor them.
“He further said that as part of effort to reposition the Basins, its agriculture mandate have been returned.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Prof Emmanuel Adanu, has called for the strengthening of the Basins for optimal performance.Adanu who bemoaned lack of realistc data on the availability, accessibility and affordability of water in the country, called for effort to ensure sustainable management of water resources in the country.He noted that the passage of the water resources Bill before the National Assembly is crucial in turning around the water sector of the country.
“The merits of the bill is so much and we believe that when it is passed and signed into law, it is going to transform the water sector” he stated.On his part, Mr Saliu Ahmed, Managing Director, Benin Owina River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), said deliberate effort needed to be made to regulate water resources.According to him, “Nigeria cannot afford to be blind to the issues of regulating its water resources development and management, be it from abstraction to handling and conveyance.
“For an equitable access to water for all to be quaranteed, we must regulate and manage our resources through adequate legislation.
