By Fatima Saka
The Government of Nigeria has determined to conclude the ongoing dam projects across the nation to elevate irrigation farming in order to attain food security for its citizens.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, articulated this on Thursday in Ile-Ife, Osun State, during the second day of his inspection of water projects in the South West region.
The Minister elucidated that he led a delegation of Technical Directors from his ministry to evaluate the progress of the Ile-Ife Dam project in Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State to facilitate the government in taking requisite measures by providing all necessitated resources for its prompt completion.
He reassured the people of Ile-Ife of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s dedication to ensuring the availability and affordability of food for all Nigerians, fostering job opportunities for the burgeoning youth population, and instituting citizen-centric programs and policies aimed at enhancing the living standards of the populace.
Prior to this, the Director of Dams and Reservoirs in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Ali Dallah, apprised the Minister that the Ile-Ife Dam project, which is 45% finalized and spans 660 meters in length, possesses a storage capacity of 18 million cubic meters of water. “This can be channeled to 250 hectares of land for irrigation farming and domestic use, and it has the potential to generate 4.5 megawatts of electricity for the Ife community.”
The Commissioner for Water Resources in Osun State, Mr. Sunday Olufemi, conveyed gratitude to the Minister for leading his management team to the project site, affirming that it exemplified the government’s dedication to the welfare of the populace.
He pledged the Minister the essential backing to ensure the timely completion of the project to fulfill its intended purpose.
The community Head of Kajola Obalere, Mr. Adebayo Akinola, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his resolve to finalize the project for the benefit of the people.
