From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev inspected the Makurdi irrigation farm project and commissioned the 1.5 kilometre Ugondo Community access road.
Speaking during the inspection, Utsev revealed that the farm has over 3,000 hectares of irrigable land, with 1,200 hectares allocated for irrigation farming and 1,800 hectares reserved for the upcoming Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria, SPIN, project.
The minister noted that 400 hectares of the farm had already been cleared and in use, while contracts had been awarded for the study and design of additional 600 hectares.
He also announced that contract had been awarded for the construction of water channels and drip irrigation system to support the expansion of the existing irrigation farm.
He also expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far, stating that the contractor handling the construction of the channels is doing well, with the project nearing 90 percent completion, highlighting the successful cultivation of crops such as garden eggs, maize and pepper.
In addition to the irrigation farm project, Utsev disclosed that Otukpo Multipurpose Dam, which is currently at 50 percent completion, had been included in the 2025 budget and would be completed, adding that the ministry is also exploring the possibility of generating power at the dam to improve power supply in the country.
At the commissioning of Ugondo community access road, Utsev emphasised the importance of the road in enabling the community to convey their agricultural produce to the town, while also improving the socio-economic conditions of the community.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr Richard Pheelangwah urged the community to continue to support the minister to ensure more development projects in the area.
On his part, the Ter Makurdi, Vincent Aule commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and Utsev as minister, expressing Benue people’s support for the president’s administration.