The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), Deji Ashiru, has unveiled a scorecard of projects executed under his administration, revealing that the agency has provided more than 400 solar-powered boreholes, deployed 16 agricultural tractors and expanded irrigation infrastructure across the South-West in the last two years.
Ashiru, who marked his second anniversary in office on Sunday, said the interventions were aimed at boosting food production, improving access to potable water, promoting renewable energy and empowering rural communities in line with the Federal Government’s development agenda.
According to a statement issued by the authority, the projects span agriculture, water resources, youth empowerment, rural infrastructure and energy development.
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“The last two years have been a remarkable testament to purposeful governance, visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to national development,” Ashiru said.
“Our goal has been to reposition the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority(OORBDA) as a vehicle for economic growth, agricultural prosperity and rural transformation.”
Among the key achievements highlighted by the OORBDA boss is the installation of over 400 solar-powered boreholes in communities across the region, providing access to clean water for thousands of residents.
He also disclosed that the authority had deployed 16 tractors to support mechanised farming operations, while an additional 60 tractors had been procured to further strengthen agricultural productivity and support Nigeria’s food security drive.
Ashiru said the agency cultivated more than 5,000 hectares of farmland and expanded access to modern agricultural technologies aimed at increasing crop yields and improving sustainability.
The authority also established more than 100 greenhouse farms and procured another 200 units to promote climate-smart agriculture and year-round food production.
On irrigation and water management, he said OORBDA completed four irrigation dams and is currently developing eight additional projects, bringing the total number of irrigation dam projects to 12.
The agency, according to him, also installed sprinkler irrigation systems covering more than 50 hectares of farmland, constructed over 10 kilometres of access roads and developed more than 25 kilometres of drainage infrastructure to improve agricultural activities and rural connectivity.
Ashiru said youth and women empowerment remained central to the authority’s intervention programmes.
He disclosed that more than 200 youths had graduated from various empowerment schemes, while over 1,000 beneficiaries received vocational tools, industrial equipment and laptop computers to enhance entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and digital inclusion.
“We believe that empowering our young people and women is essential to achieving sustainable development,” he said.
“Through targeted training programmes and equipment support, we are creating opportunities for individuals to become productive contributors to the economy.”
The managing director added that more than 200 farmers benefited from training and capacity-building programmes organised by the authority.
As part of efforts to promote integrated agriculture, OORBDA established a Songhai Model Farm, stocked over 20,000 fish fingerlings and developed poultry facilities to support livestock production and agribusiness expansion.
One of the agency’s most ambitious projects, according to Ashiru, is the concession of the Ikere Gorge Dam for a proposed 250-megawatt hydropower project, which he described as a potential game changer for energy supply and economic development in the region.
He further stated that more than 10,000 solar-powered streetlights had been installed in communities to improve security and stimulate economic activities.
Ashiru expressed confidence that the authority would continue to expand its impact in the years ahead.
“These are stories of lives transformed, communities revitalised and opportunities created,” he said, adding that OORBDA remains committed to sustainable development and improving the living standards of Nigerians.
