The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has declared that the Makurdi Irrigation Project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance agricultural productivity and rural development.
Utsev made this declaration while inspecting the project, which is one of the projects under the Lower Benue River Basin Authority.
According to Utsev, it will boost the country’s food production and contribute to food security through irrigation and dry-season farming.
While briefing newsmen during the inspection, the minister revealed that 3,000 hectares of land have been allocated for dry-season farming, with 1,200 hectares specifically designated for irrigation purposes, while the remaining 1,800 hectares will be used for the World Bank Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project.
Utsev announced that the government awarded contracts for the construction of irrigation channels, drip irrigation systems, and the expansion of existing irrigation farms to support these efforts.
He added that the ministry was also working on activating the hydropower components of various dams across Nigeria to boost energy supply.
The minister also told newsmen that the ongoing work at the Otukpo multipurpose water dam will be completed this year.
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The Acting Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Authority, Aondohemba Udu, who was represented by Mr. Sylvanus Apav, acknowledged the ministry’s support for the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors handling the projects, Orje Torher assured that the projects will be completed according to specifications and within the stipulated timeframe.
Christopher Senegh, who represented the host community of Mbaku, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for the laudable project.
He appealed to the government to provide tractors to assist farmers, noting that it would enable them to work seamlessly on farms.
Senegh also urged the government to strengthen security in the area.
The minister also inaugurated the 1.2-kilometre Ugondo Community Access Road in Makurdi during the inspection.
Like the Makurdi Irrigation Project, the access road is a project under the supervision of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority.
It will improve farmers’ access to farmlands upon completion.
