Photo file: Managing Director of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, Engineer Deji Ashiru.

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

Ashiru revealed, on Friday, that, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda, the Federal Government had constructed 323 greenhouse projects across the six states of the Southwest in the past year.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday by Ashiru, the Authority’s Executive Director of Planning and Design, Mr. Femi Dokunmu, and Head of Construction, Taiwo Ogunshoro, the Authority confirmed the completion of 73 new greenhouses, rehabilitation of five, and plans to refurbish 15 more. Contracts have also been awarded for 220 additional units, scheduled for delivery by 2025.

“Greenhouses are a lifeline for sustainable agriculture, especially during dry seasons,” Ashiru said, noting that the initiative aligns with the President’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security.

He added that access to clean water has improved, with contracts awarded for 400 solar-powered boreholes across the Authority’s seven-state jurisdiction many of which have been completed and commissioned.Progress has also been recorded in reviving hydropower operations at the Ikere Gorge and Oyan dams, built in the 1980s.

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.
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“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.