River Basin Development Authorities
RBDA
About
River Basin Development Authorities in Nigeria are government agencies that manage water resources for agriculture and other uses. Each authority operates within an assigned geomorphological and political boundary and works to improve agriculture and rural development through irrigation, control of river pollution, and help for farmers in processing food crops. The authorities' operations have been shaped by Nigeria's economic and political changes, and their impact was described as minimal about ten years after they were established.
History
Concerns about sustainable food production after the Sahel drought of the early 1970s and a decline in agricultural output following Nigeria's oil boom led to plans for agencies spread across the country based on the drainage systems of various rivers. In 1973, two river basin authorities were established, for the Sokoto River and Lake Chad basin. In 1976, the law establishing the River Basin Development Authorities listed eleven agencies with the mandate to develop water resources to boost agricultural production. When a democratic administration came into power in 1979, capital expenditure for the authorities increased, although political considerations influenced the choice of contractors and board personnel. In 1984, new basin authorities were created for each state, increasing the number from eleven to 19. This restructuring did not last, as a new regime reverted to the previous eleven.
Key Facts
Established
1976
Jurisdiction
Nigeria
Abbreviation
RBDA