The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation says it is taking steps to restore peace and stability at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA), Ilorin.
The move follows industrial unrest triggered by disagreements between management and workers over alleged administrative irregularities, accountability concerns and procurement procedures.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dispute disrupted activities at the authority and prompted the ministry’s intervention.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said this at a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
Utsev described the disruption as regrettable, noting that River Basin Development Authorities were critical to irrigation development, water resources management, food security and rural growth.
He said the ministry remained committed to resolving the dispute through dialogue and due process in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The minister acknowledged workers’ rights to seek redress but emphasized that grievances must be pursued through lawful and established channels.
According to him, violence, intimidation and disruption of official duties are inconsistent with public service values.
Utsev said that the ministry had earlier deployed a fact-finding team to investigate the crisis and engage stakeholders.
He said the team recommended measures to restore peace, rebuild trust and strengthen institutional cohesion within the authority.
According to the minister, the ministry approved the recommendations and commenced implementation before fresh developments complicated the process.
He urged management, labor leaders and staff to embrace dialogue, mutual understanding and constructive engagement.
Utsev said food security and sustainable development could not thrive in an atmosphere of conflict and instability.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Emanso Umobong, urged public servants to uphold the Public Service Rules.
She called for greater commitment to discipline, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of official duties.
The Managing Director of the authority, Mr Olumoroti Olushola, dismissed allegations of administrative irregularities and unauthorized deployment of heavy-duty equipment.
Olushola maintained that all procurement processes complied with the Public Procurement Act 2007 and involved relevant ministry officials.
He added that the authority had rehabilitated several moribund assets, including heavy-duty equipment; a livestock feed mill, a garri processing machine and a D6 bulldozer.
According to him, the rehabilitated facilities and equipment are now operational.
Representatives of staff, labor unions and senior ministry officials also participated in the deliberations.
To facilitate lasting peace, a committee comprising representatives of the ministry, the authority and labor unions was constituted.
The committee is expected to engage stakeholders and oversee the implementation of agreed resolutions.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, due process and effective service delivery, while pledging stronger oversight to prevent future disputes.(NAN)
