The Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev has announced the approval of more funds by the Federal Government for the completion of Ogbese dam project in Ekiti State.
He made the announcement on Wednesday while addressing newsmen shortly after inspecting the ongoing work on the Ogbese dam project in Ekiti State.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was passionate about granting access to clean and safe water for all citizens and achieving food security through irrigated agriculture.
To this end, he said that all the resources available to his government will be channeled towards completing the ongoing water projects across the country to address water needs of citizens and boost food production.
The Minister, according to a statement by his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Terhemen Oraduen, also said some of the challenges that had slowed down the pace of work at the project were being
addressed.
He was optimistic that now that the major components for the dam have been provided, work would resume steadily and be completed next year.
Prof Utsev commended the contractor for the quality of work done so far.
Director of Dams in the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Ali Dallah had told the Minister that the dam which has three components including hydropower generation, irrigation, and water supply has reached advanced stage.
The project when completed, he disclosed, has the capacity of generating four megawatts of electricity that would serve two hundred and fifty thousand people from Ise Orun and neighbouring communities.
On his part, the project Coordinator, Foundation Solid Limited, Engr Fahd Jamal, thanked Professor Utsev and President Bola Tinubu for the support for and commitment they have shown for the project.
He assured them of his commitment to deliver a quality job that will stand the test of time.
Professor Utsev also inspected the Isheri water project in Osun State during which he summoned the project consultant to provide government with more information about the project to enable government address the grey areas that were hindering the utilisation of the dam located by Isheri community and its environs.
He also met with the delegation of Osun State government led by its Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi during which he called on the state government to key into the programmes of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and make its counterpart contributions to enable the state benefit from interventions domicile in his ministry .
He solicited the support of the Osun State government to end open defecation by next year through building of more toilets and provision of sanitation service and educating their people on the dangers of open defecation to human health.
Deputy Governor of Osun State Prince Adewusi, who spoke on behalf of Governor Ademola Adeleke, promised to key into the programmes of the Federal Government aimed at improving the lives of his people.
He thanked Professor Utsev for the ongoing water projects his ministry is executing in the state and assured him of support and synergy to derive more benefits for his people.