The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has inspected the Otukpo Multipurpose Dam at Otobi Akpa in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, assuring residents of the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the project.
The inspection, conducted on Thursday, was part of the Minister’s nationwide tour of dams, irrigation, water supply and sanitation projects, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to improve water resources management and the quality of life of Nigerians.
Prof. Utsev said the President ordered an assessment of water facilities nationwide to address challenges in water supply and sanitation, particularly uncompleted dams, projects affected by siltation and infrastructure at risk of structural failure.
He explained that, upon completion, the Otukpo Dam would provide a reservoir capacity of 130 million cubic metres, generate 3.3 megawatts of hydroelectric power, supply potable water, irrigate about 2,000 hectares of farmland and deliver 13 kilometres of internal access roads.
The Minister added that the project scope includes a 22-metre-high earth-fill embankment spanning about 2,469 metres, a stepped concrete spillway, hydropower facilities, inlet and outlet structures, ground exploration works and a 13.3-kilometre access road.
According to him, technical assessments show that completing the Otukpo Dam remains the most viable solution to water challenges in Benue’s Zone C, with water distribution expected to extend to parts of Zone B.
Prof. Utsev assured residents that the inspection was to determine outstanding works to enable the immediate resumption and timely completion of the project, adding that President Tinubu is responsive to the people’s concerns.
During a courtesy visit to traditional leaders in Akpa District, community representatives welcomed the inspection but raised security concerns, appealing for increased security presence, including the establishment of a police post in the area.
