Wednesday 30 March 2022

Corruption Allegations, Incompetence: River Basin Trade Group gives FG 14days ultimatum to sack Ilorin MD, Aremu


All River Basin Trade Group  under the umbrella of Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAEE) has given a 14days ultimatum to the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu and President Muhammadu Buhari to remove the Managing Director of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) Ilorin, Dr. Saheed Adeniyi Aremu from office over corruption allegations and incompetence.

The union however threatened to embark on industrial action should it demand is not executed by the Federal Government.

This is contained in a Communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources/All River Basin Development Authority (FMWR/RBDAs) dully signed by the National Chairman of the forum, Comrade Mudi Olayinka Raji and the Secretary, Comrade Apostle Nwafor Nkikem made available to newsmen on Thursday. 

The Communique reads " The forum-in-session has observed with dismay the activities of the Managing Director of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Ilorin (LNRBDA) Dr Saheed Adeniyi Aremu, indulging in several misdemeanours that has resulted in the erosion of the ethics and cordial relations required for smooth administration of Government Resources.

"That under the watch of Dr Saheed Adeniyi Aremu there has been gross misappropriation and misapplication of funds on frivolous projects and the bastardisation of the anti-corruption drive of this administration. This has impeded Mr President's effort at ensuring food security and sufficiency.

" That Dr Aremu's incompetence at managing human resources is being evidenced in his lack lustre attitude to staff welfare and his targeted victimisation of staff he considers uncompromising in their pursuit of excellence in the discharge of the Authority's Mandate.

" That the Auditor General of the Federation's report of 29th March, 2021 with reference number OAGF/FIAD/FMWR/LNRBDA/2021/30 has indicted Dr. Aremu and the forum-in-session hereby request that the appropriate anti-corruption agencies should investigate and take appropriate action as confirmed by that report.

" The forum-in-session hereby condemns in the strongest terms Aremu's conduct and demand his immediate removal from office within 14 days of this resolution to avoid labour action across all River Basin Development Authorities in Nigeria.

"The forum-in-session urges the Management of all RBDAS to allow the oversight visit of the Branch Union Executives to projects in the various RBDAS that has effect on the proposed partial commercialisation of the River Basins while appealing to the Federal Government to increase funding of all projects and programmes in all River Basin Authorities and to ensure proper monitoring.

The forum expressed regards to the Honourable Minister of Water Recourses, Permanent Secretary and the Director, River Basin Operations & Inspectorate and the Management of RBDAS for their continued support.

It  also lauded the Managing Directors of Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority and Cross-River Basin Development Authority for their untiring and relentless effort at brokering peace and furthering productivity across all RBDAS.

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