BREAKING NEWS: Ogun-Osun River Basin defends greenhouse projects, commits to food security

 

The MD/CEO Ogun/Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engineer Deji Ashiru. Credit: OORBDA.

The Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority has dismissed recent criticisms of its greenhouse initiatives, defending its achievements and reaffirming its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s agricultural sector under the leadership of its Managing Director and CEO, Engr. Adedeji Ashiru.

PUNCH Online reports that last Friday, Ashiru said that as part of President Bola Tinubu’s agenda to boost food production, the Federal Government had, in the past year, constructed 323 greenhouse farming projects across the six states of the Southwest geopolitical zone.

Ashiru, in a statement jointly issued on Thursday, by himself, the Authority’s Executive Director of Planning and Design, Mr. Femi Dokunmu, and the Head of Construction, Taiwo Ogunshoro, Ashiru further provided detailed clarifications on the Authority’s greenhouse projects, confirming the completion of 73 new greenhouses, full rehabilitation of five others, and ongoing plans to refurbish an additional 15 units.

He explained that contracts have been awarded for 220 more greenhouses, with delivery expected by 2025. These developments, he emphasised, are critical to ensuring year-round food production in line with Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security.

“Greenhouses are not just structures; they are a lifeline for sustainable agriculture, especially during dry seasons when traditional farming faces challenges. Our initiatives are designed to guarantee an uninterrupted food supply, and every figure we present is backed by verifiable progress.

“Access to clean water has also improved significantly. In 2024, the Authority awarded contracts for 400 solar-powered boreholes targeting rural communities across its seven-state coverage. Many have since been completed and commissioned, bringing safe, reliable groundwater to households and farms. Progress has also been recorded in reviving the dormant hydropower potential of the Ikere Gorge and Oyan dams, both built in the 1980s”, Ashiru stated.

Responding to claims of exaggerated project figures, the OORBDA chief explained that the total count of 313 greenhouses encompasses completed units, those under construction, and newly awarded contracts.

“When we report our achievements, we account for all active and forthcoming projects. Transparency and accountability remain the cornerstones of our operations”, he clarified.

Ashiru further emphasised that all projects fall squarely within the Authority’s legal mandate of managing water resources, promoting irrigation, controlling floods and erosion, and generating hydropower.

Supporting Ashiru’s assertions, Dokunmu praised the Managing Director’s leadership for revitalising previously stalled initiatives, stating, “Under Dr. Ashiru’s guidance, we have breathed new life into dormant projects, delivering tangible results that benefit our communities”, Dokunmu said, pointing to the recent commissioning of solar-powered boreholes, which have significantly improved water access for rural residents.

On his part, Ogunshoro assured that all road projects adhere to strict quality standards.

“Our asphalt specifications meet the required 50mm thickness, and in some areas like Okemosan, we have even exceeded this with 3-inch layers to ensure durability. We do not compromise on quality. The Authority is working in partnership with the Ogun State government to restore power generation capacity to deliver decentralised electricity to nearby communities using surface water”, Ogunshoro explained.

He assured that as the Authority continues to defend its programmes, it “Remains steadfast in its mission to enhance Nigeria’s agricultural productivity through innovative and sustainable solutions.

“With greenhouse expansion, improved rural water access, and robust infrastructure development, OORBDA’s initiatives are pivotal in building a resilient food system for the nation”, he concluded.