NSE Criticizes Unqualified Appointments to RBDAs

Allegations have emerged in Kano’s political circles accusing Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, of halting the appointment of Kano indigenes to positions within the Hadeja Jama’are River Basin Authority.

However, investigations reveal that these claims are unfounded and unrelated to Senator Barau’s actions.

The Federal Government had announced the reconstitution of the executive management of the 12 RBDAs on December 18, 2024. The appointees from Kano are Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi (Managing Director), Baffa Dandatti Abdulkadir (Executive Director, Engineering), and Hon. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso (Executive Director, Finance).

On December 23, 2024, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) released a statement in Abuja raising concerns over the appointment of unqualified individuals to critical engineering roles within the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.

Signed by NSE President Margaret Oguntala, the statement noted that many appointees to key positions, such as Executive Director of Engineering and Executive Director of Planning and Design, lacked the professional qualifications and expertise required for these roles.

The NSE’s review of the appointments revealed that only four of the 12 executive director positions were filled by certified engineers.

“This press statement is issued to express our deep concerns regarding the implications of these appointments for the future of Nigeria’s water resources management and sustainable development.”

However, the NSE criticized the lack of adherence to professional standards in the selection process, warning that this could jeopardize the effective management of the country’s water resources.

The NSE’s objections to the appointments are unrelated to the alleged interference of Senator Barau in Kano appointments.

Investigations confirm that Senator Barau had no involvement in the selection process and remains focused on his legislative responsibilities.

Sources close to Senator Barau clarified that he is committed to fair governance and the development of Kano State and Nigeria at large, distancing him from any claims of political interference in the RBDA appointments.

As the debate continues, stakeholders are encouraged to focus on merit and professionalism, ensuring the effective delivery of services critical to Nigeria’s growth and development.

Comments

Aisha Garba’s Bold Vision for Transforming Basic Education in Nigeria

By Suhaib Auwal In a country where the foundational pillars of education have long been riddled with structural gaps, funding constraints, and policy inconsistencies, the recent leadership at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) signals a renewed hope. Since her appointment as the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Aisha Garba has embarked on a reformist mission that seeks not just to address the surface-level symptoms, but to cure the systemic ailments crippling Nigeria’s basic education sector. At the core of her vision is a comprehensive, inclusive, and technology-driven approach to strengthening basic education delivery. Her leadership style is not only proactive, but it also reflects a deep understanding of Nigeria's complex educational terrain. With over 17 million children currently out of school, Garba has made it unequivocally clear: this figure is unacceptable, and she intends to drastically reduce it within the shortest possible time. A Three-Pronged V...

Kwankwasiyya Rubble-Rousing Short-Wave Politics

By Aliyu Dalhatu Adamu Department of Sociology, Federal University of Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. The construction of 85km rural roads was flagged-off by the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Monday 17th June 2024 at Madobi Local Government. The occasion afforded Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, an opportunity to ventilate his feelings on the forces in political contest in Kano State. Many people believe that Kano is suffering great abuse in the tight grief of Kwankwaso as an alternate, if not the real, governor in his illegal Third Term. In his emotional outburst, the former Presidential candidate alluded to a number of issues, which many see as pointers to the inner workings of his mind, suggesting his political fortunes in the State are nose-diving or in the least taking a big hit. For instance, from the vituperations of Kwankwaso, one can easily understand that, the NNPP, as...

Barr. Ismaeel Idris Strengthens Ties with Youth Ministry, Amid Calls for House of Reps Run

By Suhaib Auwal The APC Kano bigwig Barr. Ismaeel Idris, paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development at his office in Abuja on Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration towards improving the lives of young people in Northern Nigeria. The high-level meeting focused on strategic initiatives aimed at empowering youth, particularly in Kano State and Kumbotso Local Government Area. Both leaders expressed a shared commitment to addressing the pressing challenges facing young people in the region, including unemployment, limited access to education, and the need for greater community-based programs. Speaking after the meeting, Barr. Ismaeel emphasized the importance of partnerships between government agencies to deliver tangible results. “This is a critical time for our youth. We must go beyond policy and move into practical actions that will uplift and transform lives, especially in communities like Kumbotso where the youth ...

Politics 24

Search This Blog