The Managing Director of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), Abubakar Malam, has reaffirmed commitment to safeguard rivers and surrounding human activities for socio-economic prosperities.
Malam gave the assurance during swimming, canoe race and fishing competitions part of the celebrations in commemoration of World Rivers Day organized by SRRBDA on Monday in Sokoto.
The Newsmen reports the theme of 2025 celebration was ” Clean Rivers, Healthy Community” and it also featured display of agricultural products, a lecture and presentation of awards to winners.
Represented by the Executive Director Engineering Services, Mr Mansur Aminu-Khalifa, Malam described clean rivers as the pathway to healthy communities and healthy communities were the foundation of national progress.
He reatraited agency’s determination to keep the river pure, maintain proper hygiene, detoxification and general cleaniness in line with this year’s theme.
According to him, SRRBDA was established to harness the potentialities of Rima River for irrigation, hydropower and flood control through coordinated activities in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The Managing Director said the activities provided job opportunities through cultivation of rice, wheat, cotton, sugarcane, maize, surgum, onion, potato, tomatoes and other vegetables.
Malam highlighted that the agricultural activities attracted income to individuals and groups as well.as harnesses nation’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
He said rivers were the bedrock of national development and provided safe drinking water to populace and appealed for more support toward safeguarding the rivers at all levels.
” For Nigeria, pristine rivers like Rima mean thriving agriculture, vibrant tourism, and population free from shadows of pollution and neglecting them will lead to stagination, ” Malam said.
While Malam appreciated the support of stakeholders in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states, he assured of continued improved service provisions in accordance with SRRBDA mandates.
He reassured that the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was on right track providing needed impetus for sustainable agricultural production and economic growth through various initiatives aimed at ensuring food security and job opportunities for Nigerians.
Earlier, the Guest Lecturer, Prof. Murtala Gada, underscored the importance of ensure clean and healthy rivers for safe drinking water, irrigate farmlands, power industries, support fisheries and nourished the ecosystem.
Gada, from Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto (UDUS). said Rima river shapes the culture, history, and economy of the region, serving as source of water for agriculture, transportation and domestic use.
He lamented that that rivers face treats of pollution from untreated domestic and industrial waste, siltation from.deforestation and poor land use and overuse of water unsustainable farming.
The Lecturer explained other treats included effects of climate change which puts pressure on water system and in some areas fishing communities were observing declining yields while farmers face irregular water flows and flooding.
He called for improved river management mechanisms, watershed protection and sustainable irrigation to prevent pollution and conserve wetlands as well as protect riverbanks from degradation.
He further appealed for industries to adopt friendly environmental practices while individuals should embrace responsible habits.
” When rivers are healthy, communities prosper as clean water reduces the spread of waterbone diseases, improve food security and foster economic growth, ” Gada said.
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