By Tony Obiechina, ABUJA The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has commenced the partial commercialization of Four River Basins Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the country.
Director General of the BPE), Mr. Alex A. Okoh who disclosed this in Abuja, listed the river basins as Niger-Delta, Sokoto-Rima, Ogun-Osun and Upper Niger.
Speaking at the kick-off meeting for the commencement of Transaction Advisory services by Agri-Africa Consultant A&E Law and Partnership Consortium for the Partial commercialization of the four RBDAs, the Director General expressed delight at the commencement of the project.
He said the main objective of the advisory service is to restructure and reposition the RBDAs for partial commercialization and optimum performance adding that the kick-off meeting was to formally introduce the advisers to the Minister and other key stakeholders.
According to Mr. Okoh, the scope of work by Agri-Africa Consultant A& E Law and Partnership Consortium is basically to provide the requisite advice and support required for the Federal Government to successfully implement the partial commercialization of the RBDAs in a manner consistent with relevant national policies, laws and international best practices.
He said the scope of work among others include; Conduct of Diagnostic Study on the four RBDAs and define their business objectives and to develop a strategic plan to achieve its operational goals; Identify, verify, record, classify and value the key assets of the RBDAs including status of title documents of their lands; Implement in conjunction with the BPE, the Partial Commercialization of the four (4) RBDAs develop quality management system, chart of Accounts and opening balance sheets for the four (4) pilot RBDAs based on internationally acceptable standards and introduce operational tools developed through a one off training; and the Advisers shall Incorporate, Restructure and Reposition the four named RBDAs to be self-sustaining.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engineer Suleiman Hussein Adamu who was represented by the Director, River Basins Authority and Inspectorate of the Ministry, Mr. John Chigbo said the RBDAs project was in line with the vision of the ministry and promised to support and cooperate with the Adviser in the course of the project.
The Team Leader of the Agri-Africa consultant A&E Law and Partnership Consortium, Mr. Chigbozu Ekwekwuo expressed gratitude for the opportunity availed to the consortium to serve the nation, adding that the consortium had assembled a credible team to deliver the project and make agriculture work in the country.
