By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja

For more than 10 weeks, members of the Management Teams of the 12 River Basin Development Agencies, appointed on December 18, 2024, have been making repeated visits to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), awaiting the release of their appointment letters to officially assume their respective roles.

This week, their approach took a new turn. Rather than arriving individually, the appointees gathered at a central location before proceeding in groups to the SGF’s office, demonstrating their collective frustration over the prolonged delay.

Since December, many of these appointees have reportedly traveled from different parts of the country to Abuja, in hopes of collecting their letters. However, after waiting around the SGF’s office for hours, they have been left disappointed, returning to their bases empty-handed.

From January onwards, several of them have remained in Abuja, staying in hotels and incurring significant expenses, yet still unable to obtain their much-needed appointment letters.

Initially, the Office of the SGF cited minor inaccuracies as the reason for the delay, claiming that final adjustments were being made to ensure accuracy in the documents. However, as time passed, specific dates were reportedly given for the issuance of the letters—dates that ultimately came and went without fulfillment.

With months now slipping by, the appointees have grown increasingly concerned that something unusual may be at play. A source close to the situation revealed that their apprehension led to a more urgent and collective effort to press for their letters, especially as explanations from the SGF’s office have become scarce.

Eyewitnesses say the appointees have resorted to holding meetings near the SGF’s office, occupying any available space, and anxiously awaiting any updates.

A source within the Office of the SGF expressed confusion over the ongoing delay, stating, “It is difficult to understand why the SGF’s office has not issued the appointment letters to the members of the 12 River Basin Authority Boards. This delay is undoubtedly sabotaging the Tinubu administration’s expected results from the River Basins.”

Another insider highlighted the seriousness of the situation, explaining that the individuals awaiting letters are not just ordinary board members but are actually the management teams, including the Managing Directors of the River Basin Development Authorities.

He further stressed, “The absence of the real management teams is severely hampering the day-to-day operations of the River Basin Authorities. These agencies were created to drive critical water resource management and agricultural initiatives, and their effectiveness is now in question.”

The source emphasized the River Basins’ role in Nigeria’s food security strategy, supporting farmers through research, infrastructure development, access to technology, and market linkages. He added, “These agencies oversee large portions of Nigeria’s arable land and small-scale dams essential for dry-season farming. Without proper leadership in place, these vital functions are being undermined.”

He concluded that a fully functional River Basin Development Authority would not only ensure sustainable water access for agriculture but also stabilize food supply, attract investments in the agricultural sector, create rural employment, and contribute to economic stability.

As frustration mounts, stakeholders are calling on the Federal Government to expedite the issuance of appointment letters to prevent further disruption to critical agricultural and water resource management programs.