The fate of dozens of persons appointed by President Bola Tinubu into the Board of the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) across the six geopolitical zones hangs in the balance, more than one month after their names were released to the public.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the appointees as members of the new management teams of agencies have, therefore, threatened to resume duty today (Tuesday), after waiting for weeks without official letters of their appointments.
Their plan, it was reliably learnt, followed a letter from an official of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to the effect that the existing set of management teams of the agencies should to remain office until due process is done on the expected change of guard.
In the memo dated January 14, 2025 and addressed to the managing directors of the RBDAs by Engineer Christy Oduh, a director in the Basin Operations and Inspectorate Department, the ministry said all handing-over and taking-over should take place after the newly appointed managing directors and executive directors would have received their letters of appointment and fully documented with the ministry.
Recall that the Federal Government on December 18, 2024, announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved the reconstitution of the executive management teams for 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the administration’s bid to enhancing the efficiency of the organisations.
The newly appointed executives are expected to leverage their expertise to boost agricultural productivity, manage water resources, and foster rural development in alignment with the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
The appointments were unveiled through a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, which he said reflected regional representation and technical expertise with the aim of enhancing water resource management and agricultural productivity.
Since the reconstitution of the agencies was made, however, the appointees are yet to be issued letters of appointment, raising concern in some quarters, especially due to the latest memo by the directorate that the status quo should remains.
In the memo titled: Reconstitution of the Executive Management of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), the ministry clarified that the process outlined by the permanent secretary in the ministry should be adhered to by the current management of the authorities pending the issuance of letter of appointments to the team announced on December 18 by the president.
The memo read in part: “Sequel to my earlier post on the Managing Directors’ WhatsApp platform, I am directed to formally inform you that following the recent announcement of appointment of Board Chairman, Managing Directors and Executive Directors for the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs). The Permanent Secretary’s earlier directive on the need for strict adherence to Administrative Procedures for handing over and taking-over still subsist.
“In view of the above, I am lo reiterating that in line with Administrative Procedure, all handing-over and taking-over should take place after the newly appointed Managing Directors and Executive Directors would have received their Letters or appointment and fully documented with the Ministry.
“For the avoidance of doubts, no handing over and taking over should take place without written directive from the Ministry.
“Please accept the assurances of the Permanent Secretary’s warm regards.”
But, the appointees have differed with the authorities over the decision, and announced their intention to resume office from tomorrow (Tuesday).
In a letter dated January 20, 2025, to the Minister of Water Resources, the appointees noted that President Tinubu in exercise his power, by appointing them as a set of the management teams for the individual RBDAs.
According to them, the action became necessary “to allay any insinuation that probably, they are not interested” in their appointment by President Tinubu to serve the country.
The letter was tagged: Re: Appointment by the President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on 18th, December 2024 and Notification of Resumption of Duty of the Executive Management of the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs)
It read: “You kindly recall that the president, His Excellency, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tlnubu, graciously appointed us as Executive Management Team for the River Basin Development Authority on the 18th December, 2024, which of course resides within the power of his mandate and the wisdom of his leadership.
“This is an opportunity which we have embraced as appointees and are willing and ready to contribute our effort to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Having waited endlessly without the letter of appointment, we have therefore resolved by virtue of the presidential announcement and authority which supersede all other authorities within the Institution, to resume official duty.
“With all sense of responsibility, duty and commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda, we shall proceed to the River Basin Authorities on Tuesday, 21 January 2025, to resume official duty in our offices in order to execute the task that has been assigned to us by our president, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tlnubu.
“This is to allay any insinuation that probably, we are not interested in the very important recognition by Mr. President to serve our fatherland and to quickly contribute our quota to the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
READ ALSO: It’s deceptive to say Nigeria runs tuition-free universities, NANS replies Tinunbu
