SGF delays appointment letters of River Basin new executives

SGF delays appointment letters of River Basin new executives

Despite approval by President Bola Tinubu in December last year, the newly selected executives have not assumed office as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has not given the appointees official letters.

This is said to be due to a directive from the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.

In a letter dated January 14, 2024, Utsev instructed the caretaker managing directors of the 12 River Basins to retain their positions until the SGF issues formal appointment letters.

The delay, now stretching beyond three months, has left the appointees in a limbo.

Many are questioning why the SGF, Senator George Akume, has not followed through with the President’s directive.

Addressing the issue in Abuja on Monday, Akume said the delay was to allow for an internal review of the appointments.

The Director of Information in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, who spoke on behalf of Akume, reassured that the process was underway.

READ ALSO:

• Trump revokes security details for Biden’s children
• Man accused of strangulating girlfriend to death in A-Ibom
• APC to El- Rufai: Stop sulking, you’re blinded by ego

“I am aware of the development, and I can assure you that an internal review concerning the appointments is being carried out. As soon as it is concluded, we will make it public,” he said, without specifying a timeline.

As a result, caretaker officials continue to oversee the 12 River Basin Development Authorities, prolonging concerns over inefficiencies within the system.

One of the appointees said, “The entire thing is confusing. We have a mandate to contribute to the actualisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President in the agricultural sector. But here we are waiting endlessly to hit the ground running.”

Complaints from certain states regarding the appointees may have contributed to the delay, prompting a review by the SGF office.

Among the affected River Basin Authorities is the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, covering Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi.

Six officials were appointed, including Mamman Aliyu (Chairman, Jigawa), Rabiu Bichi (Managing Director, Kano), Tijjani Isa (Executive Director, Planning and Design, Jigawa), Zainab Gamawa (Executive Director, Agric Services, Bauchi), Baffa Abdulkadir (Executive Director, Engineering, Kano), and Musa Kwankwaso (Executive Director, Finance, Kano).

Similarly, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority has six new appointees, while the Upper Benue, Chad Basin, Benin-Owena, Niger Delta, Upper Niger, Lower Niger, Lower Benue, Anambra-Imo, Cross River, and Sokoto Rima River Basin Authorities each have six designated executives awaiting confirmation.

SGF delays appointment letters of River Basin new executives