By Ndujihe Clifford Chiebuka
The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated N4.4 billion to revive three abandoned dam projects in Nasarawa, Ekiti, and Plateau states. The goal is to mitigate flooding and boost hydropower generation.
The Three Dam Projects:
- Farin Ruwa Multipurpose Dam in Nasarawa State, initiated in 2003, aims to generate 20 megawatts of electricity and stimulate socio-economic development in the northern region.
- Ogbese Multipurpose Dam in Ekiti State, initiated in 2009, is designed to provide hydroelectric power, irrigation, and domestic water supply for over 450,000 people.
- Mangu Dam in Plateau State, launched in 2002, aims to provide potable water, support irrigation, and potentially generate electricity.
The Federal Government took over the Farin Ruwa Dam project in 2021, pledging to complete it within 24 months. However, the project remains unfinished. Data from GovSpend shows that N2.6 billion has been allocated for the dam projects in three separate instalments.
According to Professor Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, the government has included the dam projects in the 2024 budget, and construction is ongoing.
The Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, Ali Dallah, stated that the Federal Government plans to construct additional dams to address flooding issues across the country.
Nigeria currently has only 408 registered dams, compared to 92,000 in the United States and 98,000 in China.
The government aims to increase the number of functional dams to prevent downstream flooding and ensure a reliable and sustainable solution.
Source: Punch
