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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the completion of the Otukpo Multipurpose Dam in Benue State.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, stated this when he inspected the project at Otobi Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state, as part of his nationwide inspection of dams, irrigation, water supply and sanitation projects. A statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations of the ministry, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, said the inspection was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu, to ensure sustainable management of water resources and improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
Speaking during the inspection tour, Utsev said President Tinubu had directed the assessment of water facilities nationwide to tackle challenges related to water supply and sanitation and fulfil the administration’s development agenda.
According to the minister, the tour was aimed at identifying projects requiring urgent intervention, especially dams yet to be completed, those affected by siltation and facilities at risk of structural failure.
He said the completion of the Otukpo Dam would bring huge benefits to the area, including a reservoir capacity of 130 million cubic metres, a 3.3-megawatt hydroelectric power plant, potable water supply, irrigation of 2,000 hectares of farmland and 13 kilometres of internal access roads.
The minister added that the project would also create jobs and boost agriculture, power generation, water supply and tourism in the state.
Utsev disclosed that the scope of work includes the construction of a 22-metre-high earth-fill dam embankment stretching 2,468.64 metres, ground exploration works, a stepped concrete spillway and bridge, inlet and outlet structures, hydropower facilities and a 13.30-kilometre access road.
