By Mohammed Usman
In line with the ‘Water Sector Roadmap’ for the period of 2016 to 2030, the Minister of Water Resources, Eng Suleiman H. Adamu, has said that the ministry is planning to complete 21 dams, irrigation and seven ongoing water supply projects among others.
The minister stated this during a press briefing for his two years stewardship as the minister of water resources, in Abuja.
In his briefing, the minister said; “Two other projects, Shagari and Barikin Ladi Irrigation Projects will be completed in early 2018. Our plan is to complete seven other ongoing water supply projects and 21 dam and irrigation projects between 2018 to 2019.”
The minister said, “finally, I will like to assure the public that this ministry, as Custodian of the most important national resource for our country, i.e water, will continue to ensure that the resource is protected, used, developed, conserved, managed and controlled for the collective benefits of all Nigerians,” added other water projects to be completed alongside the targeted ones.
The added projects as mentioned include Inyishi water supply project, Ekeremor water supply project, Sabke/Dutse/Mashi water supply projects, Zobe water supply project, Mangu water supply project. He further mentioned projects to be completed as Middle ogun irrigation project, Middle rima valley irrigation project, Kontagora auna dam project, Bagwai irrigation project, tada shonga irrigation project, Ile ife dam project, Adani rice irrigation project, Ekuku dam project, Lower anambra irrigation project, Ile ife dam project, Zauro polder irrigation project, Otukpo multipurpose dam project.
Eng. Adamu added that of the 116 uncompleted and abandoned major water sector projects inherited by this administration, they are deploying most of their resources towards completing and commissioning all the high and medium priority projects from 2016 to 20 19, adding; “It is in this regard that we have completed and commissioned central Ogbia regional water supply project in Bayelsa state.”
He stressed further that certain capital projects in the water sector have been completed and ready for commissioning. The completed projects, according to the minister, are Northern Ishan regional water supply and rehabilitation of Ojirami dam water supply projects in Edo state, Kashimbila dam in Taraba state, and Ogwashi-uku dam in Delta state.
