President Bola Tinubu has approved funds for the completion of Ogbese Multipurpose Dam which started fifteen years ago in Ekiti State but has been abandoned due to lack of funds
The Minster of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev stated this when he led a team from the Ministry on tour of Water Supply Scheme projects abandoned across the Southwest geo -political Zone.
Our Correspondent, Oriola Afolabi who was at the Ogbese Multipurpose Dam reports that the project was started in 2009 but abandoned since then.
Ogbese Multipurpose Dam is aimed at boosting food security, creating jobs through the provision of hydro power supply of about four mega watts, irrigation and water supply to over four hundred and fifty thousand people within the area.
Speaking on the interest of President Tinubu to complete all abandoned water supply projects and start new ones across the country, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev explained that such was strategically designed to end water related diseases, generate more power supply and bring the dividends of democracy to the people, especially those at the grassroots.
” Ministry of Water Resources has five points out of President Tinubu’s eight points agenda which is to enhance food security, end poverty, create more jobs , stamp out corruption, improve environment and Health”
Professor Utsev stated that three dams had been completed and inaugurated in Kogi, Jigawa and Benue states within the short space of the present administration in office .
“A lot of water supply schemes have been commissioned in many parts of the country since the inception of the present administration and many irrigation site are being constructed to boost food security and convert flood to farming purposes”
The Minister said installation of power components would soon commence at the Ogbese Multipurpose Dam, while the second phase which are irrigation and water supply would start immediately
Professor Utsev said that the facility when completed would generate employment opportunities for teeming Youths in Nigeria, especially women.
“We are going round water facilities in the Southwest geo political Zone, today we are in Ogbese Multipurpose Dam in Ekiti to ensure early completion, the project is expected to serve over four hundred and fifty thousand people, prevent water borne diseases and make life meaningful at the grassroots”.
He called on Nigerians to take advantage of the present administration’s policies and Programmes which were meant to end poverty and improve the nation’s economy.
” The project would be completed by next year. I am using this medium to call on Nigerians to take advantage of the eleven river basin authorities across the country as well as President Tinubu’s policies and Programmes aimed at boosting the economy”
The Director, Dams and Irrigation in the Ministry, Mr Ali Dallah who briefed the Minster and conducted the team round the Ogbese Multipurpose Dam, explained that about seventy percent work had been done on the site
” So far, we have been able to achieve appreciable development at site , presently, the project has reached about seventy percent, while necessary installation of power components would soon commence”
On his part, the Contractor, Mr Fahd Jammal promised to move to project site immediately the money was released
“The project was delayed due to lack of fund, while some money earlier released was used to procure hydro power components which are ready for installation.
Meanwhile, some of our containers were held in Lagos for months before they were released.
Ogbese Multipurpose Dam is expected to serve the immediate need of residents of Ogbese farmstead, Afolu, Ise Ekiti, Orun Ekiti and Ikere, all in Ekiti south Senatorial District.
