By Emmanuel Oluwakorede
The Federal Government on Wednesday commissioned the Odo-Ape Dam in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Odo Ape Dam was awarded to a leading construction firm in Nigeria, Turning Point Engineering Limited in twenty eighteen with the aim of providing irrigation for about seven hundred hectares of farmland.
Other objectives of the Project include, engaging over two thousand and eight hundred peasant farmers, production od an estimated three thousand metric tonnes of grains and vegetables and development of aqua-culture with the possibility of producing about 500 tonnes of fish annually.
Speaking during the Commission, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev said the project is timely as it is coming at a time that the Federal Government had declared State of Emergency on food security.
According to him, since assumption of office, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to the development of dams in the country to promote all year round farming.
Professor Utsev assured that the Ministry will continue to be the vanguard of Government effort to meet the needs of Nigerians in the area of provision of potable water, sanitation and food security.
While commended the Contractor, Turning Point Engineering Limited for doing a quality job, the Minister promised that in no distant time, water pumps and other equipment will be provided for farmers.
Also speaking in a message, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo said the project is coming at a time that his administration is partnering with farmers to revamp agriculture in the State.
Represented by the State Security Adviser, retired Commander Jerry Omodara, the Governor noted that the dam will improve dry season farming in the State and applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his interest in developing the Nation’s agriculture sector.
The Governor explained that his administration is committed to providing more tractors to farmers to boost agriculture in the State.
On his part, the Managing Director of Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Dr. Adeniyi Aremu stated that following the completion of the project, the Agency will move to the next stage of clearing adjourning land and providing irrigation infrastructure.
“Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority is currently expanding its provision of low-cost potable water and infrastructural development in both the urban and rural communities in the country, he added.
He pointed out that “the Odo-Ape Dam has a capacity of 3.5 Million Cubic Meter storage, 400M long axis, 12M height with 6M dam crest top width. The associated works include a channel spillway, submerged inlet structure, 500mm diameter ductile iron steel pipe encastered in reinforced concrete as scour outlet, sluice valve downstream of the out let.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of Turning Point Engineering Limited, Engr. Kayode Sangoyomi expressed delight over the successful completion of the project.
There were goodwill messages from the Obaro of Kabba and Chairman, Okun Traditional, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, and Obaro of Odo Ape, Oba Elijah Meseko among others who expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for locating the project in Odo Ape.
