Business
LNRBDA establishes 15 new irrigation schemes for Kwara, Kogi in 4yrs— MD
The Managing Director of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Dr. Adeniyi Saheed Aremu, has restated the commitments of the agency towards assisting the nation in the actualization of strides towards tackling challenges bordering on food security.
He stated this in an interview with journalists in Ilorin on Wednesday, stressing that, “In order to ensure all year food production, the authority has constructed some dams to provide water for irrigation during the dry season and between 2017 and 2021, 15 new irrigation schemes were established both in Kogi and Kwara States while the existing schemes were rehabilitated.”
He however enumerated some dam projects carried out by the Authority as Aran-Orin Dam, Omu-Aran Dam, Yashikira, Okuta Dam, Iyah Gbede Dam, Takete-Idde Dam, Moshe-Gada Dam, Odo-Ape Dam, Kabba-Bunu and Kpada Dam in both Kwara and Kogi States respectively.
Aremu said: “In line with the Authority’s mandate and as contained in Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (ERGP) of President Muhammadu Buhari, we have opened up over 1800 irrigable lands within our area of coverage for different agricultural purposes.”
“There are 11 other River Basin Development Authorities in Nigeria. LNRBDA covers the entire geographical spread of Kwara State and two- thirds of Kogi State; that is Kogi Central and Kogi West Senatorial districts. The Authority has a total of five Area offices domiciled in Ilorin, Shonga, Omu-Aran, Ejiba and Lokoja.”
“River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) under undertake comprehensive development of both surface and underground water resources for multipurpose use with particular emphasis on the provision of irrigation infrastructure and the control of floods and erosion and for water-shed management.”
He further stressed that, “We also construct, operate and maintain dams, dykes, polders, wells, boreholes, irrigation and drainage systems, and other works necessary for the achievement of the Authority’s functions and hand over all lands to be cultivated under the irrigation scheme to the farmers.
“We supply water from the Authority’s completed storage schemes to all users for a fee to be determined by the Authority; amongst other agro-economic functions the authorities are established to perform.”
Other functions of LNRBDA according to Dr. Aremu as enshrined in the Act includes; construction, operation and maintenance services for infrastructures such as roads and bridges linking project sites: provided that such infrastructural services are included and form an integral part of the list of approved projects
“To develop and keep up-to-date, a comprehensive water resources master plan identifying all water resources requirements in the Authority’s area of operation, through adequate collection and collation of water resources, water use, socio-economic and environmental data of the River Basin. The Authority also executes other projects as contained in the yearly budget of the Authority as approved by Mr. President.”
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