Delay in issuing appointment letters by SGF ‘cripples’ River Basin Authorities

The inefficiencies and alleged corrupt practices in Nigeria’s River Basin Authorities are set to further cripple activities in the organisations as the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) continues to withhold appointment letters for 72 executives appointed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2023.

Despite the presidential appointments, the newly selected executives remain unable to assume office 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 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 stated that the delay was necessary 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.

“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, who spoke anonymously, expressed frustration over the delay.

“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.”

It was gathered that complaints from certain states regarding the appointees may have contributed to the delay, prompting a review by the SGF’s office.

A government source explained, “That’s what is delaying it. It is a case of some persons being appointed, I think from the North, that is different from the names of nominees submitted. There are similar cases like that in other River Basin Authorities.

“So they need to resolve these issues. I think that is actually where the problem lies.”

President Tinubu had previously urged the appointees to leverage their expertise to enhance the efficiency of the agencies in alignment with his administration’s goal of improving the lives of Nigerians.

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.

With the ongoing delay, uncertainty continues to cloud the management of these critical agencies, leaving appointees and stakeholders anxiously awaiting the SGF’s final decision.