INTRODUCTION
1.1 RIVER BASINS: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE
The idea of creating River Basin or Water Authorities evolved from the success of the Tennessee Valley Authority in the United States of America in the early 1930s. This idea was replicated in many countries of the world and it guided the Federal Government in the 60s in the commissioning of studies whuch eventually led to the establishment of River Basin Development Authorities in Nigeria, starting with Chad abd Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authorities.
At present,Nigeria has twelve River Basin Development Authorities; their creation commenced when the Federal Government passed the River Basin Development Decrees Nos. 32 and 33 of 14th August 1973 to give a legal backing to the establishment of the Chad and Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authorities. Subsequently, the River Basin Development Authorities Decrees No. 25 of 15th June, 1976 and the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority Decree No.37 of 3rd August, 1976 were also promulgated
These Decrees created 11 River Basin Development Authorities. In January, 1994, Government approved the division of Niger Basin Development Authority into Upper and Lower Niger Basin Development Authorities, thus bringing the number of River Basin Development Authorities to 12.1.2 CROSS RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Decrees Nos. 25 and 37 of 1976 established 11 River Basin Development Authorities, including the Cross River Basin Development Authority. The Authority was formally inaugurated on 26th May, 1977 by the then Federal Commissioner of Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim El-Yakubu. Its jurisdiction initially included the whole of the then Anambra,Imo States and part of Benue State.In 1979, the Cross River Basin Development Authority assumed its present geographical entity courtesy of Decree No. 87 of 28th September, 1979.
1.3 FUNCTIONS
The functions of the Cross River Basin Development Authority as spelt out by section 41(a)-(e) of the River Basin Development Authorities Act; cap R9, LFN, 2004 are as follows;- To undertake comprehensive development of both surface and underground water resources for multi-purpose use with the particular emphasis on the provision of irrigation infrastructure and the control of floods and erosion and for water - shed management;
- To construct,operate and maintain dams, dykes, polders, wells boreholes,irrigation and drainage systems, and other works necessary for the achievement of the Authority's functions and hand over all lands to be cultivated under the irrigation scheme to farmers;
- To supply water from the Authority's completed storage schemes to all users for a fee to be determined by the Authority with the approval of the Minister
- To construct, operate and maintain infrastructural services such as roads and bridges linking project sites; provided that such infrastructural services are included and form integral part of the list of approved projects
- To develop and keep up-to-date comprehensive water resources master plan, identifying all water resources requirements in the Authority's area of operation, through adequate collection and collation of water resources,water use, socio-economic and environmental data of the River Basin.
PAST AND PRESENT CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF CRBDA
S/N |
NAME |
DATE |
|
1 |
Chief Inuaeyen Ndaeyo |
1976-1983 |
|
2 |
Alhaji Abubakar Bobboi Jauro |
1983-1984 |
|
3 |
Chief Okokon Edem Udo Etuk |
1984-1988 |
|
4 |
Engr. Sixtus Ukelina Abetianbe |
1988-1999 |
|
5 |
Elder Ita Bassey Essen |
1999-2005 |
|
6 |
Engr. Simeon Ugbuji |
2005-2009 |
|
7 |
Engr. Nicholas Dumebi Madu |
2009-2011 |
|
8 |
Barr. Essien E. Etukudo |
Jan.2011-Sept.2011 |
|
9 |
Engr. Mfon Taiwo Eno-Obong Essien |
2011-2015 |
|
10 |
Mrs Eta Eyo Ita (Managing Director) |
2015- Jan 2017 |
|
11 |
Engr.Bassey Edet Nkposong (Managing Director) |
Jan 2017 Till Date. |