By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- THE Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Joseph Utsev, Wednesday, assured the Ogbese Multi-purpose Dam in Ekiti State after completion would boost food production, job creation and enhance economic growth in accordance with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda of the Tinubu-led administration.

Utsev gave the assurance during inspection of work at the dam, which he said the dam remains a top priority by President Tinubu, which the dam will provide four megawatts of electricity, support irrigation for agricultural activities, enhance water supply for domestic and industrial uses, boost agribusinesses along various chains, and foster fishery development for Ogbese, Ise, Orun, and surrounding communities.

He also explained that he and his team were on a three-day fact-finding tour of the Ministry’s projects in the South West region, based on the President’s directive to identify and complete all outstanding projects under the Ministry in order to combat poverty, create jobs, and ensure food security for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, he applauded the people of Ogbese and surrounding areas for their support to the project and encouraged them to engage in the partial commercialization of the River Basin Development Authority to maximize its benefits.

The Minister explained that with the project at 70 per cent completion, the hydropower components will be swiftly installed as the equipment is already on site, which the Federal Government has approved funds for the components while the all turbines were in place and ready for installation.

However, he disclosed that the irrigation and water supply side of the dam will commence and be completed in phase two of the project.

The Minister’s entourage include Directors from the Ministry, the Managing Director of Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority, Engr. Ahmed Saliu, and his management team, along with engineers and other key stakeholders.

Meanwhile, earlier, the Director of Dams and Reservoirs, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr Alli Dallah, briefed the Minister on the project’s progress, noting that the turbines, cooling systems, generators, and other hydropower components are ready for installation.

Dallah also disclosed that the water supply component is intended to provide water for 450,000 residents of Ikere and Ise Local Government Areas of Ekiti State, while the four-megawatt hydropower generation will cover the entire State, which he conducted the Minister and his entourage around the project site.

Also the project contractor, Engr Fahd Jamal, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for prioritizing the project’s completion and assured that the job would be completed within the approved timeframe.