FG completed 565 water projects in two years – Prof. Utsev

The Federal Government has completed and commissioned 565 water supply schemes, three multipurpose dams, four major irrigation projects, and numerous sanitation facilities over the past two years.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, revealed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Utsev stated that these accomplishments are part of the government’s drive to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which focuses on clean water and sanitation. He emphasized that the ministry’s initiatives are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in enhancing agriculture and ensuring water and food security.
He also highlighted the inauguration of key projects, including the Rafin Yashin Dam in Niger State, the Odo-Ape Hydropower Dam in Kogi State, and the Amla Dam in Benue State.
“These projects are expected to support irrigation, enhance electricity generation, and promote agro-industrial development”.
He also announced the successful concessioning of the 40MW Kashimbila Hydropower Plant in Taraba, and the integrated Agro-Allied Cargo Airport, which generated more than N7.1 billion as a commencement fee for the first five years into the federal concession account.
On irrigation, the minister disclosed that four projects, which include the Bakalori and Dadin-Kowa schemes in Zamfara and Gombe States, respectively, providing thousands of hectares of irrigated farmlands for dry-season farming, have been completed.
“Two micro-irrigation projects have also been completed in Oyo and Jigawa to support smallholder farmers,” he said.
Utsev also disclosed that four major water projects have been completed in Jigawa, Yobe, and the FCT, while three others in Gombe and Yobe were already 90 per cent completed.
“Through collaboration with states and partners, 565 water supply schemes were constructed under PEWASH, SURWASH, and the AfDB programmes, serving over 450,000 people,” he added.
He also announced that 40 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) have attained Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, bringing the total to 142 across the country.
“We have constructed 159 sanitation facilities in 23 states and developed advocacy jingles in five languages, reaching more than 25 million Nigerians,” he said.
The minister further revealed that 14 dams and several irrigation projects were near completion across Plateau, Enugu, Ekiti, Oyo, and Kwara States, while more than 100 new water supply projects were awarded in 2024.
“The ministry has also commenced the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) Project in 20 states to modernize existing infrastructure and explore hydropower generation,” he added.
He emphasized efforts to revitalize River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) by partnering with the private sector and state governments.
“We have leased 4,429 hectares of farmland to commercial farmers and developed irrigation infrastructure for 154,000 hectares, creating jobs for more than 1.6 million farmers.
“Other notable agency activities include issuing 24 water use licenses by the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission, training of 1,377 youths in plumbing and drilling by the National Water Resources Institute.
“We also have the publication of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency,” the minister revealed.
Utsev said the ministry plans to complete 11 new projects in 2025, roll out school and public sanitation initiatives, and develop a National Framework for Flood Insurance.
”We will continue to work towards food security, job creation, and economic growth through sustainable water management,” he added.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, development partners, state governments, and the media for their support and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to delivering on its mandate.