The federal government says it will construct a dam in Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State to improve water supply, boost irrigation farming and enhance power generation.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, announced this in a statement on Monday after an assessment visit to the proposed dam site.

Mr Utsev was accompanied by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, and the acting permanent secretary of the ministry, Ali Dallah.

He said the project, initiated on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, would commence after the completion of feasibility studies, design, and approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

According to him, the dam would provide a sustainable water supply to communities in Kanke and neighbouring areas, support irrigation agriculture, create jobs for women and youths, and increase power generation.

Mr Utsev also disclosed that the Mangu Dam project in Mangu Local Government Area had reached 90 per cent completion.

He said the project was designed to expand irrigation activities, support hydropower generation and address longstanding water challenges in the area.

The minister added that the government was constructing dams along the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway to improve domestic water supply, reduce farmer-herder conflicts, promote year-round agriculture and enhance electricity generation.

He said rehabilitation work was ongoing at the Alau Dam in Borno, while several other dams across the country were at various stages of rehabilitation.

Mr Utsev expressed appreciation to Mr Tinubu for supporting the ministry’s efforts to implement projects in the water and sanitation sector.

He assured that the ministry would remain committed to improving access to water and sanitation services nationwide.

Mr Yilwatda said the completion of the Kanke Dam would help address water challenges in the area and neighbouring communities when connected to distribution networks.

He added that the facility would improve electricity supply, provide access roads, create economic opportunities and serve as a tourism centre.

The APC chairman said the Tinubu administration had prioritised development projects in Plateau State and the North-Central region, urging citizens to support the ongoing initiatives.

The minister, the APC chairman and the acting permanent secretary had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Golong Ngas, Jika Golit, to inform him of the proposed project and seek his support for its execution. 

(NAN)