The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, FNSE, has inspected major Federal Government and World Bank–supported water and irrigation projects in Benue State, urging residents to support the development initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The inspection tour, carried out on Friday, January 23, covered the proposed Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) Project in Katsina-Ala, the ongoing Federal Government–funded Ugbema Semi-Urban Water Project in Buruku Local Government Area, and the upgrading of the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme at Ameladu Community in Gboko Local Government Area.
Speaking at the proposed World Bank/FG-supported SPIN project site in Katsina-Ala, Prof. Utsev said the inspection was in line with President Tinubu’s directive to assess water supply facilities and dams nationwide in order to identify gaps and areas requiring government intervention.
He explained that the 5,000-hectare irrigable farmland at Katsina-Ala, when completed, would generate employment for teeming youths and significantly boost food production through year-round farming with improved yields. The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government plans to concession the dam component of the project under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to ensure faster and seamless delivery.
Calling on residents of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to support the initiatives of the Tinubu administration, Prof. Utsev noted that the project, when fully developed, would create employment opportunities for about 2,000 youths. He also urged state governments to take advantage of the World Bank-supported SPIN Programme and key into it to enhance agricultural productivity and economic growth.
The Minister further highlighted other ongoing dam and irrigation projects in Benue State, including Wannune, Amgbo, Atee, Dura and Amla dams, as well as existing irrigable farmlands around Makurdi.
Also speaking on the Katsina-Ala Irrigation Project, the National Project Coordinator of SPIN, Engr. Ipinlaye Olaiya, said the project was designed to increase food production, create jobs for youths and contribute to national development through improved Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He added that implementation would commence once clearance is received from the development partner.
Farmers in Katsina-Ala, Jude Oke and Ugbema Godfrey, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the proposed irrigation project and appealed for government support in the provision of farm tools, fertilisers and other inputs to enhance dry-season farming.
The Minister, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emanso Umobong, and other technical directors, also inspected the ongoing Federal Government’s 30,000-litre capacity Semi-Urban Water Project at Ugbema, Mbaakura Ward, Buruku Local Government Area. The inspection covered the generator house, step-down transformer, and ground and overhead tank reservoirs.
Prof. Utsev noted that the project had attained about 80 per cent completion, with the remaining work focused on water reticulation within the community. Speaking on behalf of the community, the Head of Ugbema Mbaakura Ward, Chief Zaki Dzer Ager, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, noting that the project would provide potable water and permanently address long-standing water challenges in the area.
At Ameladu Community in Gboko Local Government Area, the Minister inspected the ongoing upgrading of the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme, which he said would, upon completion, supply water to about four local government areas, including parts of Tarka and Ushongo. He stated that the project, which commenced about nine months ago, had reached about 90 per cent completion, adding that the contractor had been directed to strictly adhere to the 18-month completion timeline.
The inspection tour ended at the Amgbo Dam in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, where Prof. Utsev disclosed that the dam would be upgraded from its current 400 metres length to about 1,000 metres, with a reservoir storage capacity of 1.2 million cubic metres of water. He said the project would have both water supply and irrigation components, generate employment, serve as a tourist attraction and supply water to the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune.
Responding, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, Dr. Tyover Ashinya, commended President Tinubu for the planned commencement of work on the project, describing its benefits to the institution and students as immeasurable.
