FG VOWS TO USE DAMS FOR FLOOD CONTROL, CROP IRRIGATION

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The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun, has assured the public of the government’s commitment to maximising dam utilisation for irrigation and flood prevention purposes across the country.

Terlumun stated this during an evaluation visit to Shagari Dam in Sokoto State on Monday, as part of a broader review of dams in Nigeria.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu established an Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on Dam Evaluation following recent flooding incidents that affected parts of Maiduguri, Borno State.

The committee, chaired by the minister, includes other members such as the Ministers of Environment, Housing, Works, Budget and National Planning, Information and National Orientation, and Finance.

Represented by the Deputy Director of Dams and Reservoirs in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Oluwatosin Abiola, the minister noted that many dams in Nigeria are ageing and require maintenance and upgrades.

Abiola explained that a technical sub-committee, chaired by the Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, was constituted to oversee the exercise.

He stated that the visits to various dams nationwide aim to assess their conditions and evaluate their safety for potential flood control and economic benefits.

He observed that Shagari Dam is in good condition and not deteriorating, based on its water reserve, embankments, spillways, and irrigable areas.

The team leader highlighted the need for increased investment in dam construction and maintenance to ensure their maximum potential for food production in the country.

He added that the committee was inaugurated to assess the physical condition of dams nationwide and examine their impact on local communities.

According to him, the findings will be submitted to the main committee for further action, with assurances that each dam will be fully utilised and that measures will be implemented to prevent flooding.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima Basin Development Authority (SRBDA), Mr Buhari Bature, commended President Bola Tinubu for the initiative.

Bature stated that Shagari Dam has a 15 million cubic metre capacity, stands at 13 metres in height, and spans 1,340 metres in length, with 240 hectares of land currently under irrigation.

He noted that 1,000 hectares have been proposed for dam irrigation land, and 70 per cent completion has been achieved so far.