The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, has announced plans to construct additional dams across Nigeria to enhance water storage capacity, control flooding, and boost food security through irrigation.
Speaking on Thursday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, during the 31st Regular Meeting of the National Council on Water Resources and Sanitation (NCWRS) themed “Water and Food Security: Challenges and Opportunities in the Face of Daunting Climate Change”, Professor Utsev highlighted the critical role of irrigation in food security, economic growth, job creation, and poverty reduction.
He disclosed that new irrigation projects had been procured, including:
Ikoya Irrigation Project, Ondo State
Duku Lade Drip Irrigation Project, Kwara State
Makurdi Drip Irrigation, Benue State
Kebbi Drip Irrigation Project
Edo Micro Irrigation Project
Adamawa Micro Irrigation Project
Additional works for Ipapo Micro Irrigation Projects, Oyo State.
Professor Utsev emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to revitalizing and sustaining the water supply sector while providing strategic guidance for water, sanitation, and hygiene services across the country.
“We are conducting a nationwide dam infrastructure safety assessment through an inter-ministerial technical committee to determine the structural integrity of dams following the Maiduguri flood incident in September 2024,” he stated.
The Minister also noted that design and rehabilitation studies for dams, including Dura Dam (Benue State), Lafia Dam (Nasarawa State), Ado Awaye Dam (Oyo State), and Galmara Dam (Bauchi State), were underway. Priority has been placed on completing dams such as Mangu Dam (Plateau State) and Ogbesse Dam (Ekiti State) by 2025.
The Ministry has evaluated dam structures nationwide to mitigate flood risks and completed 44 projects under the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (PEWASH) program. Additionally, 64 projects funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) are in progress under the Inclusive Basic Delivery System for Development and Livelihood Empowerment Improvement Project.
Utsev further announced that 113 water supply contracts are at various stages of construction, with the completion of the Asaba and Umuahia National Water Quality Reference Laboratories underway.
The Minister appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and Akwa Ibom State for hosting the event, expressing confidence that the meeting would yield enforceable policies to advance the Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his remarks, Governor Umo Eno appealed to the Federal Government to reactivate the abandoned Nkari and Ibiono Ibom dams in Akwa Ibom State.
“These dams, once envisioned to drive agricultural growth and economic prosperity, now lie dormant. I am heartened by the Honourable Minister’s assurance that they will soon be reactivated,” Eno stated.
He highlighted the state’s commitment to the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project, pledging N200 million and collaboration with the Cross River Basin Development Authority.
“We look forward to partnering with the federal government and development partners to bring this project to fruition,” Eno said.
The event featured an inspection of exhibition stands and a keynote paper titled “Securing Nigeria’s Future: A Water-Food Nexus Approach in the Face of Climate Change.”
VANGUARD
