Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, said the federal government is targeting four megawatts of electricity from Ogbese Multipurpose Dam in Ekiti State.
Utsev, who disclosed this yesterday while addressing journalists shortly after the inspection of the dam in Ogbese between Ikere-Ekiti and Ise-Ekiti, said the dam when completed, would boost hydro-power supply, water supply, as well as irrigation farming.
The minister restated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to increase electricity generation capacity, as well as provide stable and affordable electricity supply in the country.
Utsev explained that the project has reached 70 percent completion, adding that the remaining work is the installation of hydro-power components, which was procured late last year.
He said: “The multipurpose dam is currently at 70 percent completion. What is pending now is the installation of hydropower components and when that is done, water supply and irrigation which is phase two of the project will be executed.
“When completed, the dam will serve the environment. Four megawatts of power will be generated, irrigation will be enhanced and water will also be supplied”, he added.
He disclosed the federal government’s plan to commercialise all the operational dams under the country’s 12 river basins to enable them effectively deliver their existential mandates.
The minister noted that government is determined to reposition the river basins for sustainable economic growth and development, and guarantee food security through improved agricultural support services.
“We have about 12 river basins in Nigeria and we are commercialising these basins, we have the facilities, lands and we can give it out for people to cultivate food, improve the economy of this country and create jobs”, he added.
The Director of Dams and Irrigation in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Ali Dallah emphasised the role of river basins in achieving food security in the country.
He added that the dam upon completion, would supply water to 450,000 people in the state and encourage fishing activities that would benefit the people of Ekiti State and beyond.
He said: “The dam will provide four megawatts of electricity and it will give water supply to a population of 450,000, from the left bank of the river in Ise and the right bank in Ikere.”
