To strengthen dam safety and promote sustainable water resource management in the country, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has flagged off a four-day stakeholders’ workshop.
The event, organized under the auspices of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, is scheduled from Thursday, 26th to Saturday, 28th June 2025, in Nasarawa State.
The workshop brings together key stakeholders, technical experts, and policymakers to formulate a unified strategy for improving dam infrastructure across the country.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Richard P. Pheelangwah, was represented by the Director of Reforms Coordination, Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, formally declared the workshop open.
In his remarks, Mr. Pheelangwah underscored the importance of the event as a platform for stakeholder engagement and technical planning—particularly in anticipation of the SPIN Project rollout.
The Permanent Secretary, in a statement by Bolanle Amadi, on behalf of the Director Press &Public Relations Dept, commended the strong participation of experts committed to enhancing the safety, reliability, and climate resilience of Nigeria’s dams amid growing risks from heavy rainfall and seasonal climate variability.
He emphasized that the SPIN Project—supported by the World Bank—is a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s capacity in irrigation, flood control, power generation, and potable water supply.
Ensuring dam safety, he noted, is fundamental to achieving these objectives and demands proactive maintenance, continuous monitoring, and coordinated emergency preparedness.
Throughout the workshop, participants will engage in technical sessions, risk assessment exercises, and expert-led knowledge-sharing forums on global best practices in dam safety, climate adaptation, and disaster risk management.
Mr. Pheelangwah described the workshop as an opportunity for meaningful collaboration and peer learning.
He encouraged participants to actively contribute, exchange ideas, and adopt practical strategies to safeguard both communities and critical infrastructure.
He also expressed appreciation to the World Bank and the Organizing Committee for their support and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to building a resilient and secure water infrastructure system.
In a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Power, Alhaji Mamudah Mamman—represented by Engr. Bem Ayangeaor, Assistant Director of Renewable and Rural Power Access—reiterated his Ministry’s commitment to dam safety and hydropower development.
He highlighted the strategic role of dams in water supply, irrigation, flood control, and electricity generation.
Alhaji Mamman also disclosed that the Ministry is spearheading the development of a National Hydropower Development Master Plan to attract private sector investment through public-private partnerships.
This initiative, he said, will drive transformative energy projects and align with Nigeria’s broader infrastructure and energy transition goals.
Earlier, the Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, observed that many dams in Nigeria remain under-maintained and increasingly vulnerable to climate change, sedimentation, and urban encroachment.
He described the workshop as a timely intervention to address these challenges through the adoption of updated safety standards, advanced monitoring technologies, and robust emergency response systems.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing strong leadership and technical coordination for the safe and efficient management of the country’s dam infrastructure.
A key highlight of the workshop is the presentation of expert papers by leading professionals in the field, including the Acting Director General of the National Water Resources Institute, Dr. Martin Eduvie; Director of Dam Tech Nigeria, Engr. Daisi Alabi; and other renowned specialists.