The federal government through the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has said the proposed Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria Project in Katsina-Ala will create jobs for youths and boost food production through year-round farming.
Utsev stated this while inspecting the World Bank and Federal Government-supported SPIN project in Katsina-Ala, Benue State, alongside other ongoing Federal Government water supply projects across the state.
The inspection, conducted on Friday, also covered the Ugbema Semi-Urban Water Project in Buruku Local Government Area and the upgrading of the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme.
Speaking at the SPIN project site in Katsina-Ala, the minister said in a statement that the inspection was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to assess water facilities and dams nationwide and identify areas that require government intervention.
He explained that the 5,000-hectare Katsina-Ala irrigable farmland, when completed, would support large-scale farming activities and improve food availability. According to him, “the project will create jobs for youths and significantly boost food production through year-round farming.”
Utsev disclosed that the Federal Government plans to concession the dam component of the project under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement to ensure efficient delivery and proper management of the facility.
He urged residents of the area to support the Federal Government’s initiatives, noting that the project could generate employment for about 2,000 youths. He also encouraged state governments to take advantage of opportunities provided under the World Bank-supported SPIN Programme.
The National Project Coordinator of SPIN, Mr Ipinlaye Olaiya, said the project was designed to increase food production, create jobs, and contribute to national economic growth. He added that implementation of the project would commence once clearance was received from the development partner.
Some Katsina-Ala farmers, Mr Jude Oke and Mr Ugbema Godfrey, commended the Federal Government for the proposed irrigation project. They appealed for additional support, particularly farm inputs, to enable farmers benefit fully from dry-season farming.
The minister, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Emanso Umobong, and technical directors, also inspected the 30,000-litre capacity Semi-Urban Water Project in Ugbema, Mbaakura Ward, Buruku Local Government Area.
Utsev said the project had attained about 80 per cent completion, with outstanding works on water reticulation needed to make it fully operational.
The inspection team further visited the Buruku/Gboko Water Supply Scheme located at Ameladu Community in Gboko Local Government Area.
The minister said the scheme, which has reached about 90 per cent completion, would supply water to four local government areas, including parts of Tarka and Ushongo. He added that the contractor had been directed to adhere strictly to the 18-month completion timeline, noting that electro-mechanical components were currently being installed at the intake point along the River Benue axis.
The tour ended at the Amgbo Dam in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area, where Utsev said the dam would be expanded from 400 metres to 1,000 metres, with a reservoir capacity of 1.2 million cubic metres.
He said the dam would support water supply and irrigation, provide water to the Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, create employment opportunities, and promote tourism in the area.
In his response, the Rector of the institution, Dr Tyover Ashinya, commended the Federal Government for the project, saying it would significantly address the institution’s water challenges.
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