From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has charged the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority’s management to embrace partial commercialisation of the River Basin and leverage on the numerous opportunities at their disposal for effective and efficient management of the River Basin.
He emphasised that partial commercialisation of River Basins is not a complete sale of the Basins but an invitation for capable investors to contribute and foster increased food production, which will reduce hunger, poverty, unemployment and create wealth among youths, men and women in the country, in line with the Food Security Agenda of Mr. President.
Goronyo gave this charge during his visit to the Headquarters of SRRBDA, at a meeting with both the Management and lower cadre staff of the River Basin, on 30/11/2023 as part of his familiarisation tour.
The Minister of State commended the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority’s management for the significant infrastructural development both completed and ongoing at the Headquarters which includes the Songhai Model Integrated Farm featuring cultivated crops in greenhouses, poultry, python, goat/ram, and fishery sections, along with a sachet water production factory.
During the tour, the Minister of State and entourage visited and inspected the 15 year old Shagari Dam with a 70 percent completion level and the yet to be completed water treatment plant for the drip-irrigation pilot scheme site in Sagi (Agare) town, Sokoto State.
The team also visited the Goronyo Dam where the inspection covered the Control Room, Arc Gate Control Cabinet, Major Spillway, Gantry Crane, Mini Spillway, and Cross Regulator, all of which play a crucial role in regulating the major irrigation canal in Goronyo Local Government Area.
The Honourable Minister also visited and inspected the Bakolori Dam with a reservoir of about 400 million cubic meters of water, along with the SRRBDA Bakolori Irrigation project managed by Triming in Talata Mafara, Zamfara State.
Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of State inaugurated the SRRBDA Songhai Model Integrated Farm in Saka Village, Chinaka District of Goronyo Local Government Area. This farm includes sections dedicated to poultry, fishery, goat rearing, and greenhouse seedlings.
He also inaugurated the Songhai Model Integrated Farm in Maradun Local Government Area, Zamfara State, one of the catchment areas of the SRRBDA. The farm includes sections dedicated to poultry, fishery, goats and rams.
While commending the SRRBDA’s achievements in completing projects, the Minister of State emphasized the crucial need for project sustainability and inclusive involvement of all stakeholders. He added that this approach wiĺl ensure optimal value for the government’s investment in these critical projects and assets.
In company of the Honourable Minister of State on the familiarisation/inspection tour were the Director of River Basin Operations and Inspectorate, Mr AJ Ochigbo, Director Dams and Reservoir Operations from FMWR & S, Engr. Ali Dallah, some Staff of the Ministry, the MD of SRRBDA, all its Executive Directors, and other significant personalities from Sokoto State.