The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, on Friday, inspected the Makurdi irrigation farm project and inaugurated the newly constructed Ugodo Community access road in Benue State.
During his visit to the irrigation farm at Mbakuv in Makurdi Local Government Area, Utsev highlighted that the project spans over 3,000 hectares of irrigable land.
Out of this, 1,200 hectares have been designated for irrigation farming, while 1,800 hectares will be allocated to the upcoming Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project.
Providing an update on the progress, the minister revealed that 400 hectares had already been cleared and put to use, while a contract had been awarded for the study and design of an additional 600 hectares, which was in its advanced stages.
To further boost the project, contracts for the construction of irrigation channels and a drip irrigation system had also been awarded.
“The construction of the irrigation channels is nearly 90 percent complete, while the drip irrigation system is about 67 percent done. We already have crops like garden eggs, maize, and pepper thriving on the farm,” Utsev stated.
Additionally, he provided an update on the Otukpo Multipurpose Dam, noting that it was 50 percent complete and had been included in the 2025 budget for completion.
He further disclosed plans to generate electricity from the dam to enhance the country’s power supply.
At the commissioning of the 1.5-kilometer Ugodo Community access road, the minister emphasized that the road would improve the transportation of agricultural produce and boost the socio-economic development of the area.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Pheelangwah, urged residents to continue supporting the minister, assuring them that more projects would be implemented with their cooperation.
Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Makurdi, HRH Ter Makurdi, Vincent Ahule, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Joseph Utsev as a minister and George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He assured that the people of Benue remained committed to supporting the president’s administration and future aspirations.
