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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The Federal Government has commenced plans to construct a multipurpose dam in Gile community, in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State with a view to solving the age-long water crisis in the area.
The proposed project, according to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, is expected to provide potable water, irrigation, livestock water supply, electricity, access roads and other critical infrastructure to the community and its neighbours.
The minister, who unveiled the project during an inspection to the proposed site on Monday, in Gille, Kanke, described the proposed dam as a transformational intervention that would unlock the economic potential of Gile and neighbouring communities.
Speaking during the visit, Utsev, accompanied by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and the Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Lawandi Datti, said the Federal Government was expanding investments in water infrastructure nationwide to boost food production, create jobs, improve access to potable water and support livestock production.
He said: “President Bola Tinubu has directed us to boost food production, create jobs for our youths and women and make governance more inclusive through strategic water infrastructure,” the minister said.
Utsev explained that the visit was part of the preliminary assessment before the commencement of detailed engineering studies.
“This is a site assessment. After this visit, technical teams and consultants will carry out detailed feasibility studies and designs to determine the size, cost and duration of the project before construction begins,” he said.
He noted that the proposed dam would serve multiple purposes, including irrigation, domestic water supply, livestock production, hydropower generation and flood control.
He said that the project would also boost agricultural activities in Gile and surrounding communities.
He said: “This is more than water. This is life. It is agriculture, livestock production, a source of livelihood, job creation and wealth for this community,” he said.
The APC chairman said the project would extend beyond Gile through a comprehensive water reticulation network that would supply potable water to surrounding communities in Kanke and adjoining local government areas.
“This is exactly what President Tinubu is doing by taking development to rural communities,” he said.
He said the project would naturally stimulate the provision of other social amenities. “When water comes, roads will come. Electricity will come. People working here will require schools and healthcare facilities. This is not just a water project; it is rural development,” he said.
Datti reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the project.
“Water means life. This project will significantly improve agriculture, livestock production and the overall livelihood of the people of this community,” he said.
Chairman of the Ngas Elders’ Association, Nde Gideon Barde, described the proposed dam as a strategic investment that would benefit several neighbouring communities by improving access to water for domestic use, irrigation and livestock production.
