The Honorable Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman H. Adamu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to speedy completion of Ogbese Multi-purpose Dam project in Ekiti State.
The Minister who was accompanied on project site inspection by the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the Dam when completed will boost the economic activities in Ogbese and its environs.
Engr. Adamu disclosed that the Dam has the capacity for water supply, irrigation and hydropower, adding that tourism and agricultural potentials of the Dam will also be beneficial to the people.
Giving background of the project, the Minister who said that the Dam was inherited from the previous administration noted that the contract for its construction was awarded in 2009.
He explained that the project would have been completed earlier but activities on the site were stalled due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.
Engr. Adamu therefore charged the contractor to ensure that the equipments needed are transported to the Dam site promptly, adding that local fabrication should also be encouraged in order to support job creation.
In his remarks the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said the Federal Government was trying to ensure that all inherited projects are completed.
He expressed optimism that the project will be completed soon, given the passion and commitment demonstrated by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources led by Engr Suleiman H. Adamu to ensure the realization of the project.
Earlier, the Director of Dams, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Engr. Ali I. Dallah informed that the dam has recorded a progress level of 67 percent from the completed spill way and grouting work, ongoing construction of dam embankment, intake,reservoir clearing and discharge channel excavation.
He disclosed that the electro-mechanical equipment which had been shipped into the country is presently awaiting clearance at Tin Can Island port, Lagos.
Present at the site inspection were the Managing Director of Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, (BORBDA) Engr. Saliu O. Ahmed and his team, site engineers, and contractors.
