The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, says Ogbese Dam in Ekiti State will enhance food production and create jobs for Nigerians when completed.
Utsev, said this during the inspection tour of the Ogbese multi-purpose dam project which currently under construction.
He said Ogbese dam when completed would also drive economic growth, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Utsev said that the project, considered a top priority by President Tinubu, will provide four megawatts of electricity, support irrigation, enhance water supply, aid farmers, and foster fishery development for Ogbese, Ise, Orun, and surrounding communities.
He noted that the project is 70 per cent completed and assured that the hydropower components will be swiftly installed as the equipment is already on site.
He announced that the Federal Government has approved funds for the components while the all turbines were in place and ready for installation.
According to the Minister, the irrigation and water supply aspects will be addressed in the project’s second phase.
Utsev said that he was on a three-day fact-finding tour of the Ministry’s projects in the South West, following President Tinubu’s directive to identify and complete all outstanding projects to combat poverty, create jobs, and ensure food security.
He applauded the people of Ogbese and surrounding areas for their support to the project and encouraged them to engage in the partial commercialization of the River Basin Development Authority to maximize its benefits.
Earlier, Director of Dams and Reservoirs at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Alli Dallah, briefed the Minister on the project’s progress, noting that the turbines, cooling systems, generators, and other hydropower components are ready for installation.
He further disclosed that the water supply component is intended to provide water for over 400,000 residents of Ikere and Ise Local government councils of Ekiti State, while the four-megawatt hydropower generation will cover the entire state.
Engr. Dallah and his team subsequently conducted the Minister around the project site for an equipment inspection.
The project contractor, Engr. Fahd Jamal, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritizing the project’s completion and assured that the job would be completed within the approved timeframe.
The Minister’s entourage included Directors from the Ministry, the Managing Director of Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Ahmed Saliu, and his management team, along with engineers and other key stakeholders.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
