1 month ago
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The Federal Government announced plans on Wednesday to reposition dams across the country, revealing that siltation has significantly reduced the water volume in the Ogwashi-Uku Dam, Delta State.
This was disclosed by the Deputy Director and Geotechnical Divisional Head, Dams Department, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Abiola Oluwatosin, during an inspection of the Ogwashi-Uku Dam in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
Oluwatosin, who led the Technical Sub-committee of the Presidential Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee on the Evaluation of Dams, assured that findings from the assessment would guide a robust action plan to address the challenges affecting dam infrastructure nationwide.
She stated, “President Bola Tinubu constituted this committee following the recent flooding incident in Maiduguri, Borno State. The committee, chaired by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsav, is tasked with evaluating the integrity of dams across Nigeria.”
The committee, she explained, includes experts from various federal ministries, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, the Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and other technical professionals.
“The objective is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of dams to determine their structural integrity, assess their impact on downstream communities, and evaluate the environmental and social conditions affecting riparian settlements,” Oluwatosin added.
During the inspection of the Ogwashi-Uku Dam, she noted that siltation had caused a significant reduction in water volume and that the spillway and dam height would be considered in future actions.
“The Ogwashi-Uku Dam remains viable and functional,” she said.
Oluwatosin further outlined the operational and maintenance challenges faced by the dam, emphasising the need for immediate attention.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Benin-Owena River Basin Authority, Mr Salin Ahmed, highlighted the dam’s features, including its 15-metre height, 280-metre length, and 4 million cubic metres (MCM) reservoir capacity.
He explained that while the water component is under the purview of the state government, the dam includes a 1-megawatt hydropower component that enhances its potential.
