By Abdullahi Lukman
The federal government has set a fresh machinery in motion for a nationwide water and irrigation infrastructure rehabilitation aimed at boosting food production, improving water supply and creating jobs.
President Bola Tinubu has sent the Water and Sanitation Minister, Joseph Utsev, on a nationwide assessment tour of water infrastructure and dams across the country and identify areas requiring government intervention.
As part of these facilities assessment tour, Prof Utsev, last Friday, inspected several federal and World Bank–supported water and irrigation projects in Benue State.
At the proposed World Bank– and Federal Government–supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project site in Katsina-Ala, the minister said the 5,000-hectare irrigable farmland would promote year-round farming, increase yields and provide employment for thousands of youths when completed.
He disclosed that the dam component of the project would be concessioned under a public-private partnership to accelerate delivery.
The minister called on residents of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area to support the federal government’s initiatives, noting that the project is expected to create about 2,000 jobs.
He also urged other states to take advantage of opportunities under the SPIN programme.
The National Project Coordinator of SPIN, Engr. Ipinlaye Olaiya, said the project is designed to boost food production, create employment and contribute to economic growth, adding that implementation would commence once approval is received from development partners.
Local farmers welcomed the proposed irrigation scheme and appealed for additional support in the provision of farm inputs to enhance dry-season farming.
The minister also inspected the ongoing Ugbema Semi-Urban Water Project in Buruku Local Government Area, noting that the facility, with a 30,000-litre capacity, has reached about 80 percent completion. He said the remaining work involves water reticulation to the community.
Community leaders praised the project, saying it would provide reliable potable water and resolve long-standing water shortages in the area.
At the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme in Ameladu community, Utsev said rehabilitation works were about 90 percent complete and would eventually supply water to several local government areas, including parts of Tarka and Ushongo. He added that contractors had been directed to adhere strictly to the project timeline.
The inspection tour concluded at the Amgbo Dam in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, where the minister announced plans to expand the dam to improve water storage, irrigation and water supply.
He said the project would also create jobs, support tourism and provide water to the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune.
Utsev reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to improving water access and irrigation nationwide.
Stakeholders, including the rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, commended the initiative and its expected benefits.
