FG completes 565 water projects in two years

In a bid to improve access to water, sanitation, and agricultural infrastructure, the Federal Government has completed and inaugurated 565 water supply projects, alongside the construction of key dams and irrigation schemes across Nigeria within the last two years.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, described these accomplishments as critical steps towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 — which advocates for clean water and sanitation for all.

According to the minister, the series of interventions are consistent with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially the push for enhanced food production, climate resilience, and access to basic services for millions of Nigerians.

Among the flagship projects, Utsev highlighted the commissioning of the Rafin Yashin Dam in Niger State, the Odo-Ape Hydropower Dam in Kogi, and the Amla Dam in Benue.

These multipurpose facilities are not only expected to supply water for irrigation but also support power generation and agro-industrial activities in their host regions.

He also disclosed that the 40-megawatt Kashimbila Hydropower Plant in Taraba State has been successfully concessioned to a private operator.

The federal government also finalised the concession agreement for an integrated agro-allied cargo airport, generating over N7.1 billion in commencement fees to the national account over the next five years.

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On the irrigation front, four major projects have been completed in Zamfara and Gombe states, including the large-scale Bakalori and Dadin-Kowa schemes.

These facilities have opened up thousands of hectares of land for dry-season farming, allowing farmers to cultivate year-round.

Additionally, smaller micro-irrigation systems have been launched in Oyo and Jigawa States to aid smallholder farmers.

The ministry has also seen progress in expanding safe water access. Utsev reported that 565 water schemes have been built under initiatives such as the PEWASH, SURWASH, and the African Development Bank-supported programmes.

These interventions, implemented in partnership with state governments and development partners, are currently serving more than 450,000 Nigerians, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

In the sanitation sector, the minister said that 40 additional Local Government Areas have attained Open Defecation Free status, bringing the national total to 142.

He added that 159 public sanitation facilities have been constructed in 23 states and that public awareness campaigns — including radio jingles in five local languages — have reached an estimated 25 million citizens.

Looking ahead, Prof. Utsev revealed that 14 more dams and multiple irrigation projects are approaching completion in Plateau, Enugu, Ekiti, Oyo, and Kwara states.

Over 100 new water projects were awarded in 2024, and the newly launched Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria Project is now active in 20 states to modernise aging infrastructure and explore renewable hydropower solutions.

Efforts to revamp the River Basin Development Authorities are also underway. Through new partnerships with the private sector and state governments, over 4,400 hectares of farmland have been leased to commercial farmers.

Irrigation infrastructure has now been developed for 154,000 hectares of land, creating employment for more than 1.6 million farmers nationwide.

The minister also noted that water governance is improving. The Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission has issued 24 water use licenses, while the National Water Resources Institute has trained 1,377 youths in plumbing and drilling technologies. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency has published its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook.

Prof. Utsev concluded by announcing plans to complete 11 new projects in 2025, initiate sanitation programmes in schools and public spaces, and develop a national flood insurance framework.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, development partners, state governments, and the media for their continued support, assuring Nigerians that the ministry would remain focused on sustainable water management, food security, and economic growth.

NAN