By Abbas Nazil
As flood levels rise across Nigeria due to persistent rainfall, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, in collaboration with technical experts and stakeholders, has initiated critical steps to bolster dam safety and water resource management.
This move was made at a four-day stakeholders’ workshop, organized under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project and supported by the World Bank, commenced on Thursday, June 26, in Nasarawa State, which ended on Saturday, June 28.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including technical experts and policymakers, to formulate a unified strategy aimed at improving dam infrastructure across the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, who was represented by the Director of Reforms Coordination, Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, officially declared the workshop open.
He emphasized the strategic importance of stakeholder collaboration, particularly as the SPIN Project is set for rollout.
According to Pheelangwah, ensuring dam safety is central to achieving SPIN’s objectives of enhancing irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, and potable water supply.
He further noted that this requires proactive maintenance, continuous monitoring, and coordinated emergency preparedness to build climate-resilient infrastructure.
Pheelangwah commended the participation of experts committed to this vision and urged attendees to contribute meaningfully, exchange knowledge, and adopt practical solutions to protect communities and vital infrastructure.
Representing the Federal Ministry of Power, Engr. Bem Ayangeaor, Assistant Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of Permanent Secretary Mamudah Mamman.
He reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to dam safety and hydropower development and highlighted the crucial role of dams in delivering essential services such as water supply, irrigation, flood mitigation, and energy generation.
Mamman also revealed that a National Hydropower Development Master Plan is in the works to encourage private sector investment through public-private partnerships, aligning with Nigeria’s long-term infrastructure and energy transition objectives.
Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, stressed that many dams in the country suffer from poor maintenance and are increasingly threatened by climate change, sedimentation, and unregulated urban expansion.
He described the workshop as a timely intervention and called for the adoption of updated safety standards, cutting-edge monitoring systems, and effective emergency response protocols.
He affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing the leadership and technical oversight required for safe and sustainable dam operations nationwide.
A major component of the workshop includes expert presentations from leading professionals such as Dr. Martin Eduvie, Acting Director General of the National Water Resources Institute, and Engr. Daisi Alabi, Director of Dam Tech Nigeria.
Participants were engaged in technical discussions, risk analysis sessions, and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on global best practices in dam safety, disaster risk management, and climate adaptation strategies.
