The Federal Ministry of Water Resources, plans to begin the second phase of the River Basins Development Authority (RBDAs) reforms to boost food security, the Minister, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, said.

The first phase of the reforms started in January 2011 with the inauguration of the managing directors of the 12 RBDAs and assessment of projects in all the basins.

Ochekpe announced the plan in Abuja on Thursday at a forum organised by the ministry and the RBDAs Trade Group Forum.

The trade group forum is under the umbrella of the Agricultural and Allied Employees’ Union of Nigeria (AAEUN) and comprised staff of the ministries of Water Resources, Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ochekpe said that the second phase would involve the physical rehabilitation of the RBDAs.

“Efforts are on to acquire new equipment and plants, including water drilling rigs, graders, tractors and combined harvesters, among others,’’ she said.

She said that the Agricultural Transformation Agenda was hinged on the efficient utilisation of available land and water resources many of which were in the possession of the RBDAs.

She urged the RBDAs to actualise the socio-economic transformation of the rural communities within their catchment areas by encouraging local farmers to get back to the land.

In addition, the minister stressed the need for the RBDAs to evolve commercial activities to generate revenue to boost the economy of the authority.

She called on the members of the union to be committed, work hard and make the best of the reforms in the sector.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources Dr Godknows Igali, , expressed appreciation to members of the union for their cooperation.

Igali said the management of the ministry had a ‘divine’ responsibility to provide potable water and good sanitation for Nigerians.

“We have enjoyed full support from the union; we have not had any reason to argue with you since we assumed office.

“You know your responsibilities, we will not also fail on our own part to create a good working environment for the members.

“We are already doing some things to improve the welfare of the workers, knowing well that if you are not comfortable you cannot be productive, ’’ he said.

In his remark, Mr John Adakole, Chairman, Agriculture and Allied Employees Union of Nigeria (AAEUN), thanked the minister and promised that the union would support the ministry to achieve its mandate.

“We shall continue to extend our hands of fellowship to you as a trade union; we will always call your attention to issues that require urgent consideration.

“We will also manage the ones that are within our capacity to defuse every likely tension within the ministry,’’ he said.

The highpoint of the conference was the presentation of an award of excellence to the minister and the permanent secretary by Mr Simon Anchaver, AAEUN National President.