The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to completing all abandoned and inherited projects across Nigeria. During an inspection tour of the Ogbese Multi-purpose Dam in Ekiti State on Thursday, Utsev emphasized that the administration is determined to ensure that these projects, which began but stalled due to funding issues, are brought to completion for the benefit of the citizens.
Construction on the Ogbese Dam, located along the Ikere Ekiti – Ise Ekiti Road, started in 2009 but was halted due to a lack of funds. However, the minister announced that President Tinubu has recently approved the necessary funding to complete the project, which is designed to provide water, generate hydroelectric power, and support irrigation.
Utsev noted that approximately 70% of the dam project is already completed, and the remaining work, including the installation of hydro-power components, will be finished soon. He highlighted that the dam is expected to generate about 4 megawatts of electricity, enhance irrigation, boost agriculture, and provide water to the surrounding communities.
The minister also pointed out that the administration has successfully commissioned several other dams and water supply schemes across the country, demonstrating its dedication to addressing the nation’s infrastructure needs.
The Director of Dams at the Ministry, Ali Dallah, confirmed that the available funds had been effectively utilized to achieve significant progress on the project. The Project Contractor, Mr. Fahd Jammal, expressed readiness to resume work as soon as additional funds are made available to complete the job.
The Ogbese Multi-purpose Dam project, awarded in 2009, is part of a broader initiative by the Federal Government to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of citizens in both rural and urban areas.
