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*Denies Reports Alleging Water Release From Lagdo Dam in Cameroon
*Says Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant, Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport Rake In Over ₦7 billion For FG
Keeping to directives, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, on Wednesday held a one-day Citizens and Stakeholders Engagement in Abuja.
The engagement, which gave room for online participation, offered the Ministry the opportunity to reel out its achievements in the past two years, its direction in the coming years and received feedback from stakeholders.
According to the Minister, the Ministry is working hard to transform Nigeria’s water and sanitation landscape, expand irrigation and food production, and harness water resources for clean energy generation.
Towards boosting food security in the country, Prof Utsev disclosed that over 1.6 million farmers are benefiting from all year round farming season interventions.
He said the twelve River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) in the country have been repositioned as key drivers of national food security and water resources management
"Collectively, the RBDAs developed over 154,000 hectares of irrigable land, directly benefiting more than 1.6 million farmers engaged in year-round agriculture."
He said that giant strides have also been recorded in strengthening Nigeria’s water infrastructure through dam development and hydropower concessioning.
He said "The Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam—one of our nation’s flagship projects—is now fully completed, with its forty-megawatt hydropower facilities supplying power to the national grid and airstrip already commissioned.
"Work is currently advancing on the water supply and treatment components that will soon provide clean and reliable water to millions of Nigerians across Taraba State and neighbouring communities.
"Together with the Gurara and Dadin Kowa Dams, these projects now generate a combined 110 megawatts of renewable energy, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s power mix and our commitment to clean energy transition."
The Minister added that several other projects are advancing strongly, including Mangu Dam in Plateau State, now 90 per cent completed,; Adada Dam in Enugu State standing at 78 per cent completion; Ogbesse Multipurpose Dam in Ekiti State at 65 per cent; and the Farin Ruwa Dam in Nasarawa State on a steady progress of completion.
Continuing, he said "We are equally proud of the work on Alau Dam in Borno State, which is enhancing flood control and securing potable water for the people of Maiduguri.
"We have also completed or advanced several smaller dams including Irawo Earth Dam in Oyo, Otukpo Multipurpose Dam in Benue, Amla Otukpo Dam, Alajue Dam, and rehabilitation works on Tiga, Challawa Gorge, and Ruwan Kanya Reservoirs."
The Minister, however debunked the report alleging release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
"The Ministry remains in constant communication with the Cameroonian authorities and will promptly inform the public of any official release. I urge Nigerians, particularly those in Lokoja, Wurobokki, and Makurdi, to disregard false reports and instead rely on verified updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency Flood Dashboard."
He said the Ministry has successfully concessioned two major brownfield assets through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, including the 40-megawatt Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant and the Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport.
"Both were concluded in full compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act of 2005, generating over ₦7 billion in commencement fees for the Federal Government.
"We are finalising concession agreements for new hydropower projects — Farin Ruwa, Katsina-Ala, Dasin Hausa, Manya, and Bawaku — as well as the Azara–Jere Irrigation Scheme, which marks a historic step in bringing private-sector efficiency into agricultural water management." he stated
In the area of water-supply and sanitation subsector, the Minister said that the ministry has constructed and rehabilitated more than 6,700 water schemes nationwide, thereby delivering safe drinking water to over 32 million Nigerians, among other projects.
"In rural communities, we successfully implemented numerous rural water supply projects, enhancing access to clean water for over 2,000,000 beneficiaries across various states.
"For the period under review, we have constructed about 500 new water supply projects consisting the provision of Solar Powered Boreholes, Storage Water Facilities, Reticulations and Fetching points nationwide." he stated
Speaking on sanitation, he said 5,238 public sanitation facilities were constructed nationwide so far under the Ministry’s Clean Nigeria Campaign, as 162 Local Government Areas are now certified Open Defecation Free.
According to him, two National Water Quality Reference Laboratories in Asaba and Umuahia were recently completed to enhance water-quality monitoring in the country.
Boosting Nigeria's flood control preparedness, Prof Utsev said the Ministry is working closely with the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Flood Management and Response.
"Together, we have reviewed ongoing flood control and dam development initiatives—including the Kashimbila Multipurpose Dam in Taraba, the Mangu Dam in Plateau, the Adada River Dam in Enugu, and the Alau Dam in Borno State—while facilitating coordinated interventions through enhanced early warning systems, stronger partnerships with state governments, and increased private sector participation in dam operations and flood control infrastructure."
The Committee, he said, has also pledged legislative support to ensure adequate funding, transparency, and inter-agency collaboration in tackling flooding across the country.
Looking farward, the Minister said the goal for 2026 is to complete and commission the Adada, Mangu, and Ogbesse Dams, fully operationalize the Kashimbilla water-supply network, expand micro-irrigation schemes, and strengthen citizen participation through structured feedback systems.
"Our vision remains clear: to make water a catalyst for inclusive growth, clean energy, food security, and national prosperity." the Minister said
He extended appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support and the policies put in place in the sector.
"I extend my sincere appreciation to our development partners, state governments, the private sector, and the dedicated staff of the Ministry for their commitment and collaboration." he added
In her welcome address earlier, the new Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Emanso Okop Umobong, noted that the engagement was held in line with the directive of President Tinubu, to strengthen accountability, enhance transparency, and deepen stakeholder inclusion in the implementation of government policies and programmes across all sectors, including Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).
According to her, the water and sanitation sector remains central to public health, economic development, food security, environmental sustainability, and overall national well-being.
"It is therefore imperative that the Ministry continues to interact closely with its stakeholders to obtain feedback, share information, and strengthen mutual understanding in order to improve service delivery to the citizenry.
"This forum provides an opportunity for constructive dialogue on sectoral performance, emerging challenges, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration."
She said that the Ministry attaches great importance to the contributions of all stakeholders, and the outcomes of the deliberations will be carefully considered in strengthening ongoing reforms, refining policies, and enhancing programme implementation.