FG vows to create wealth through partial commercialization of river basins
The federal government has reiterated its commitment to raise the living standards of Nigeriians through the partial commercialization of River Basin Development Authorities.
The Minister of state for water resources and sanitation, Barr. Bello Muhammad Goronyo made the disclosure during a one day working visit to Adamawa State.
A group photograph during a visit to Dangote Sugar by the minister of state, water resources and sanitation on Friday.
Goronyo noted that in its drive to ensure food security, wealth creation and resolution of the insecurity bedeviling the nation, the FG is thinking out of the box adding that one of the areas it is exploring to attain that goal is the partial commercialization of the 12 river basin authorities in the country.
“We raise the issue of partial commercialization of river basin authorities which we believe the private sector has a role to play in this direction. We have a case study of Savannah Sugar company which is owned by Dangote Sugar company which is generating a lot of employment to our unemployed youth and then providing sugar to the nation.
“This will reduce the pressure on our currency and we believe this kind of collaboration is what we need in this country. We have abundant land and with multinationals and private investors we will go a long way to reduce the suffering our people,” he said.
The minister with one of the contractors of UBRBDA on Friday during project inspection.
The minister who lauded the efforts of Dangote Sugar refinery in creating employment opportunities to the teeming Nigerians urged other individuals to emulate the chairman of the company in creating solutions to the myriads of challenges bedeviling Nigeria.
He added that in order to carry everyone along in the new drive of the federal government to address the socio economic challenges facing the country, he has met with the governors of Adamawa and Gombe states to seek collaboration in the areas of irrigation, food security, poverty reduction and ending open defecation in Nigeria by 2030.
“We have engaged with the governors particularly the governor of Gombe and Adamawa States in the areas of water supply, irrigation and ending open defecation by the year 2030.
“Basically we are taking a marching order from president Tinubu on the renewed hope agenda. You are aware that some couple of days ago we concluded our retreat and signed an undertaking that we will deliver especially on the priorities of Mr president to end food insecurity, insecurity, creating wealth, and provide employment to the unemployed youth and ensure and inclusive government.
“We have to play along with the sub nationals who have a key role to play. Governors are the custodians of their states so we believe we can not play it alone, we have to come down seek for their collaboration, build synergy and further past track the dev of our nation,” he said.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the state of Kiri dam noting that except for some minor issues, the dam is in good shape.
“As far as the infrastructure is concerned we don’t have problems what we need is minor repairs of embankment where we have issues along the river bank otherwise we don’t have problems,” he said.
Also reiterating the commitment of the federal government to better the lot of Nigeriians through the river basins, the Managing Director of Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) Eng Abubakar Muazu said the river basins are money spinners that could generate billions of dollars for the Nigerian economy.
“Dadin Kowa a multipurpose dam which generate 40 megawatt of hydro power can generate over $13bn dollars per annum and when irrigation is fully developed on the 30,000 hecters, Nigeria can get $60 bn per annum,” he said.
