The Federal Government states that it is making significant progress in water security, clean energy, and food production under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this known during the Ministry’s Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement, in Abuja.
He announced the completion of the Kashimbilla Multipurpose Dam, which includes its 40-megawatt hydropower plant, now supplying electricity to the national grid.
The Minister said work is also advancing on the dam’s water-supply components that will provide potable water to millions of residents in Taraba State and surrounding communities.
Professor Utsev noted that, together with the Gurara and Dadin Kowa Dams, a total of 110 megawatts of renewable energy is now being contributed to the national power mix.
He outlined progress on key dam projects across the country, including the Mangu Dam in Plateau, Adada Dam in Enugu, Ogbesse Dam in Ekiti, Farin Ruwa Dam in Nasarawa and the Alau Dam in Borno State.
The Minister said the Ministry’s Public–Private Partnership programme successfully concessioned the Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant and the Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo and Agro-Allied Airport.
According to him, the concessions generated more than seven billion naira for the Federal Government, while additional hydropower and irrigation projects are undergoing concession processes.
On irrigation and food security, Professor Utsev reported the handover of 2,000 hectares of irrigable land to farmers under the Dadin Kowa Irrigation Scheme in Gombe State.
He added that substantial progress is being recorded on the Middle Rima and Middle Ogun projects as well as micro-irrigation schemes powered by renewable energy.
The Minister stated that over 6,700 water schemes have been constructed or rehabilitated nationwide, giving more than 32 million Nigerians access to potable water.
He added that 500 new solar-powered rural water supply projects have been completed, benefitting more than two million people across the country.
Professor Utsev said the Clean Nigeria Campaign has delivered 5,238 public sanitation facilities, while 162 Local Government Areas have been certified Open Defecation Free.
He also announced the completion of two National Water Quality Reference Laboratories located in Asaba and Umuahia.
The Minister explained that national climate resilience is being strengthened through the Annual Flood Outlooks, the National Flood Insurance Programme and the Annual Drought Outlook.
He clarified that no water has been released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and urged Nigerians to rely on verified updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Emanso Umobong, said the engagement aligns with the President’s directive to deepen stakeholder involvement and enhance service delivery in the water and sanitation sector.
