By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
The Federal Government has expressed the commitment to construct irrigation site at the banks of River Katsina – Ala in Benue State, North Central Nigeria under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, aimed at facilitating food production through irrigation farming in the state.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, announced this when he embarked on extensive inspection tour of Federal Government projects in the water resources and sanitation sector, covering key initiatives in Katsina-Ala, Ugbema, and Buruku/Gboko Local Governments in Benue State.
Among the sites visited were the proposed World Bank and Federal Government- supported Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) Project site in Katsina-Ala, the ongoing Federal Government construction of the Ugbema Semi-Urban Water Project, and the upgrading of the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme.
Expressing his commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to evaluate water supply facilities nationwide, Professor Utsev highlighted the potential benefits of the projects, emphasizing their significance in creating employment opportunities for youths and enhancing food production through year-round farming with improved yields.
The Minister outlined the Federal Government’s plans to leverage Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements for faster project delivery, specifically focusing on the concession of dam components under the SPIN Project in Katsina-Ala.
He encouraged local residents to support President Tinubu’s initiatives and emphasized the role of state governments in leveraging World Bank-supported programs.
Assessing the progress of work at the Ugbema Semi-Urban Water Project and the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme, Professor Utsev acknowledged the positive impact these initiatives would have on local communities.
Additionally, he highlighted ongoing rehabilitation works at the Ameladu Water Scheme in Gboko, emphasizing the project’s potential to address water challenges across multiple local government areas and enhance water supply infrastructure in the state.
With a focus on expanding water storage capacity and improving irrigation facilities, the Minister’s inspection tour culminated in the assessment of the Amgbo Dam in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area.
The Minister stated that upon completion of work, the upgraded dam is expected to serve as a vital water source, create employment opportunities, and support the Federal Polytechnic in Wannune.
The extensive inspection tour showcased the government’s commitment to sustainable water resource management, infrastructure development, and job creation in Benue State, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts to enhance water supply and sanitation services across the state.
Earlier, Engr. Ipinlaye Olaiya, the National Project Coordinator of SPIN, underscored the project’s goals of boosting food production, creating jobs, and contributing to national development.
He informed that the implementation of the project was set to commence pending approval from development partners.
Meanwhile, local stakeholders, including farmers from Katsina-Ala and Ugbema, praised the Federal Government’s efforts and appealed for support in enhancing agricultural productivity.
