FG begins assessment of dams to avert flooding
The federal government has begun an assessment of dams across the country to stem the tide of flooding in Nigeria.
The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, said this in Owerri on Friday while addressing reporters after an assessment tour of dams in the South-East.
Mr Utsev, represented by Oluwatosin Abiola, the deputy director of Geo-technical divisional head of the dams department in the ministry, said President Bola Tinubu’s directive was to critically analyse the integrity of dams in Nigeria.
The minister heads the inter-ministerial committee and said the committee would also assess the environmental and social impacts on local communities and the extended environment.
“President Bola Tinubu wants all hands on deck to arrest the challenge of flooding, hence the setting up of this inter-ministerial technical committee.
“We have visited the Adada and Ivo dams in Enugu State, as well as the Amauzari and Inyishi dams in Imo, and we will return to the committee for further action,” the minister said.
He added that the findings would form an action plan to solve challenges faced by dam construction in Nigeria and address challenges associated with flooding, water supply, irrigation and hydroelectric power generation.
Mr Utsev mentioned that the member ministries of the committee include the ministries of environment, housing, works, budget and national planning, information and national orientation agency, and finance.
He said that to expedite the committee’s activities, he inaugurated a technical sub-committee chaired by his Ministry’s Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations.
According to him, the sun-committee comprises technical offices from the member ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigeria Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and other technical experts.
“The overall mandate is to undertake a detailed assessment of dams in Nigeria to determine their structural integrity and impact on downstream conditions as well as on the social and environmental conditions of riparian communities.
“The technical sub-committee also visited the Alau Dam in Borno from October 12 – 16, 2024, alongside the Committee on Assessment of Alau Dam constituted by the Borno state government,” he said.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
NIS launches anti-migrant smuggling campaign in Katsina
According to him, some people die on the way before reaching their targeted destination.
States
Gov. Bago donates N100 million to FUT Minna for hostel construction
He commended the governor for his commitment to the development of the education sector.
Lagos
Sanwo-Olu urges African leaders to develop proactive health strategy
Mr Sanwo-Olu said they must also invest in primary healthcare, surveillance and emergency preparedness.
NationWide
Groups task women, youths on skills acquisition
He said that there was still a huge gap in skills acquisition and closing it was very important.
NationWide
Minister blames vandalism, lack of maintenance for frequent grid collapse
She added that the committee commended colleagues and stakeholders for swift responses to grid collapses.
States
Plateau govt. refurbishes 20 vehicles for security agencies
He assured the governor that the vehicles would be strategically deployed.