FG reaffirms commitment to food security, irrigation, water projects

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving national food security through strategic investments in water infrastructure, irrigation development, and institutional reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated this at the opening of a two-day management retreat of the Ogun–Oshun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA) held in Abuja.

Represented by the Director of Irrigation and Drainage in the ministry, Mrs Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi, the minister said river basin authorities remain central to the Federal Government’s drive for agricultural expansion, rural development, and sustainable water security.

Utsev commended the Ogun–Oshun River Basin Development Authority for its strides in expanding irrigation facilities, improving access to potable water and strengthening climate-resilient flood control systems across the South-West.

He disclosed that the authority is currently implementing a target of 300 greenhouses, with over 70 already completed, while also constructing more than 2,000 boreholes to enhance water supply and sanitation.

He added that major flood and erosion control works are ongoing at Owakurudu in Ogun State.

While applauding these achievements, the minister urged the authority to scale up its performance through improved revenue generation, asset redevelopment, and effective implementation of the Federal Government’s partial commercialisation policy aimed at attracting private sector investment via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

According to him, institutional efficiency, accountability, and strategic planning are key to the success of ongoing water sector reforms and the nation’s food security agenda.

In a goodwill message, chairman of the Ogun–Oshun River Basin Board, Hon Segun Odebunmi, said the retreat was timely, noting that it would help strengthen corporate governance, staff performance, and procurement compliance in line with national Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) objectives.

Earlier, the managing director of the authority, Dr Adedeji Ashiru, said the retreat was convened to enhance leadership coordination, review the 2026 work plan, and align operations with measurable development targets.

He explained that procurement capacity building by the Bureau of Public Procurement formed a major component of the retreat, aimed at promoting transparency, value for money, and efficient service delivery across Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos states.

Dr Ashiru reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to institutional excellence, investor confidence, job creation, and sustainable water resources development in support of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The retreat attracted executive directors, directors, and technical experts from the Bureau of Public Procurement.