.Calls for immediate completion

The Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Osita Ngwu, has renewed his call for the speedy completion of the Ivo and Mgbowo Dam projects, describing them as critical infrastructure necessary for sustainable development in the region.

Ngwu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Air Force, made the appeal on Thursday, stressing that completion of the dams would significantly improve access to potable water, strengthen irrigation for agricultural activities, create employment opportunities, and stimulate socio-economic growth in benefiting communities across Enugu State.

He expressed concern that, despite repeated appeals, the Ivo and Mgbowo River dam projects in Enugu State appear to have been systematically abandoned.

According to the lawmaker, key infrastructure projects in the state are essential for improving access to potable water, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing road connectivity, and driving local economic growth. He emphasised that the people of Enugu State deserve to enjoy the full benefits of these developmental initiatives without unnecessary setbacks.

In a statement, Ngwu said:

> “This is to remind you of my letter dated 8th September, 2023 and to express concerns that despite our appeals for the completion of the Ivo and Mgbowo River dams in Enugu State there appears to be a systematic abandonment of these critical projects. The Ivo dam project, which was awarded by the Federal Government in 2012, as a multi-purpose dam, built for irrigation, water supply, fishery, electricity generation and to enable the host communities to engage in intensive agriculture, food processing and agro-allied businesses, has suffered non-budgetary allocation since 2014 to date. Ditto Mgbowo dam.

> It is very disappointing to note that while other zones received and continue to receive considerable budgetary allocations, only the South East zone is left out. Ditto the Mgbowo dam. It is particularly troubling that these dams and others within the South East have not enjoyed funding for some time. It had been expected that the Ministry in its 2026 budget proposal would have captured these projects, but sadly this is not the case. As you may be aware, money was earmarked by the government in the Renewed Hope Fund for rehabilitation of dams across the country, yet it is only the South East zone that received zero allocation among all the River Basin Development Authorities in the country.”