By Akpan Glory
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has praised Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Agency (O-ORBDA) for advancing food security in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The commendation was delivered at the opening of a two-day Management Retreat organised by O-ORBDA in Abuja on Tuesday.
He was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Irrigation and Drainage department, Mrs Esther Oluniyi.
Utsev highlighted O-ORBDA achievements, including over 70 greenhouses built from a 300-target, 2,000 boreholes enhancing water supply and sanitation, and the flood and erosion control project at Owakurudu, Ogun State.
He urged the Authority to achieve greater impact through strategic initiatives, enhance internally generated revenue, redevelop existing assets, and leverage partial commercialisation of RBDAs to attract private sector investment via PPPs.
The Minister emphasised teamwork, capacity building, strategic planning, and sustainability, expressing optimism that the retreat would produce actionable strategies for farmers, expand agricultural land use, and deliver affordable food nationwide.
In his goodwill message, O-ORBDA Board Chairman, Mr Segun Odebunmi said the retreat fosters collaboration and stressed improving procurement processes to align with the Ministry’s sector vision and strategic goals.
Managing Director, Dr Adedeji Ashiru said the retreat was a key platform for leadership strengthening, reviewing the 2026 Work Plan with SMART objectives, and enhancing synergy across O-ORBDA departments.
He highlighted procurement training by the Bureau of Public Procurement, noting that transparent, compliant, and efficient procurement is vital for accountability, project execution, and value delivery across Ogun, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos States.
Ashiru outlined expected outcomes in improved organisational performance, expanded irrigation for food security, investor attraction via PPPs, job creation, and strengthened water supply and sanitation services across the South-West.
He urged participants to actively engage, share knowledge, and cascade lessons to all departments, ensuring the retreat’s impact reaches every level of the Authority, strengthening public trust and institutional effectiveness.
Also present were Executive Directors, a BPP representative, resource persons, and Directors and Deputy Directors, with commitment to sustainable water resources development. (NAN)
Edited by Tosin Kolade
