Agric, Water Ministries merger attracts criticism

The rumour going round about merger of Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Water Resources by President Buhari is already attracting mix feelings as many stakeholders have expressed concern saying the marriage will bring set back to  both sectors in terms of programme they have already set out differently.

 

This merger rumour is coming on the recommendation of Oransanye public service reform’s report which is likely to be affected by the present administration as a measure to curb government spending and running expenses.

The administration of Prsident Buhari may be opted to reducing the Federal Ministries from 42 to 19 as many of the related agencies have been suggested for merger by the Oransanye public service report in order to reduce the cost of operating government affairs towards achieving a better governance at the most effective cost.

 The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and the Ministry of Water Resources have been listed to be merged together, which is already attracting lots of mix feelings from the citizens.

Food Farm News’s Investigation among the staffs of the both ministries revealed that many of the them are not favourable disposed to the idea especially those from the ministry of water resources who complained about an overcrowded attitude of the other FMARD, just as some have a contrary view by welcoming the development pointed that the merger will help to boost the production of fresh agricultural produce through farmers that engage in mechanized irrigation farming. 

Those in support of the merger also believed that the marriage will help in the increase demand for irrigation water by farmers saying that the creation of more dams will enrich dry season farming towards increased food production for commercialization and food security. 

On the contrary, many others believed that merging of the two ministries is not a proactive idea as they argued it will slow down actions and also bring about unhealthy competition among the two ministries stressing the union will encourage corruption with example of incidence in 2001-2006.

A staff of water resources that declined his name said that a lot of controversy and corrupt practices were experienced during the administration of Adamu Bello as the minister of ministry of Agriculture and head of consolidated ministry of agriculture and water resources between 2001-2006. 

Again it is believed that the problem of domination might arise among the two ministries especially on irrigation farming as a source told us that a project worth billions of Naira was transferred to FMARD through the overcrowded effort of the former minister of agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina thereby sidelining the main ministry with the expertise knowledge and mandate on water engineering.

However the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative Yusuf Suleiman Lasun, has warned the Federal Government against merging Water Resources ministry with other agencies. He said despite the abundant water in the country, we still cannot boost of drinkable water for a sizeable number of populace.

 Suleiman Lasun further warned against the merging of the water ministry with the FMARD as he opined that the both ministries were important for the development of the country saying “we have not succeeded in resolving the problems of water not to talk of merging water with agriculture”.

  During the era of late President Musa Yar’ Adua, the two ministries was merged under the leadership of Dr. Abba Ruma but immediately de-merged after his demise as many believed the unity of the two might not really bring efficiency and effectiveness due to the enormous responsibility of the two ministries.

 The workers of the ministry of the water resource told food farm news that his staff were happy when the separation announcement was made by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan sometime 2008 saying the FMARD is already over shadowing them out of their responsibility until the pronouncement of the separation.