By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has said that the commissioned the Odo-Ape Dam project in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State will boost all year round farming and tackle current challenges in food security in the country.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev who commissioned the Dam project at Odo-Ape, recently said the Dam will drive economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication.
He expressed Federal Government’s commitment towards water resources development for socio-economic advancement even as he highlighted the vital role of water in various sectors of the economy such as human consumption, agriculture, industry, and sanitation.
According to him, the commissioning of the Odo-Ape Dam demonstrated the current administration’s commitment to optimise the nation’s water resources for food production.
He stated that his ministry will continue to partner with state governments, other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, donor agencies, and communities to provide portable water, sanitation, hygiene, and food security.
Utsev who said that that his ministry has established a robust Monitoring and Evaluation framework to ensure accountability in project initiation, implementation, and management, stressed that the operation of the Odo Ape Dam marked a crucial step towards poverty alleviation and socio-economic well-being, contributing to food security and economic prosperity of the community and its environs as well as Kogi State at large.
The Managing Director of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Dr. Adeniyi Saheed Aremu said the Odo-Ape project focuses on expanding irrigation capabilities.
