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Tag: Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev

  • FG unveils landmark water, hydropower projects

    FG unveils landmark water, hydropower projects

    ‎The Federal Government has announced fresh commitments to major water supply, sanitation, irrigation, and hydropower projects across the country as part of efforts to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which seeks universal access to clean water and sanitation.

    ‎Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the declaration in Makurdi, Benue State, at the opening of the 8th International Water Conference of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), with the theme: “Sustainable Urban Water Development and Management in Nigeria: Innovative Solutions Towards Achieving SDG-6.”
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    ‎Highlighting flagship projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Utsev disclosed that work is advancing on major initiatives such as the 460 MW Katsina-Ala Dam and the 186 MW Bawarku Dam on the Benue River. He added that the concessioning of Datsin Hausa Dam in Adamawa and Itisi Dam in Kaduna is ongoing.
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    ‎“These projects are not only designed to boost revenue, irrigation, hydropower, sanitation, and water supply, but also to enhance food security, tourism, and job creation for Nigerians,” the Minister said.
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    ‎He further cited the World Bank–backed Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) project, the Partnership for Expanded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) programme, and the Clean Nigeria Campaign to end open defecation by 2030 as core interventions driving sectoral reforms.

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    ‎Utsev commended engineers and water professionals for their creativity and urged them to use the three-day conference as a platform for shaping government policies, strengthening partnerships, and promoting innovative solutions to Nigeria’s water challenges.
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    ‎Representing Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, Chief of Staff Barr. Moses Atagher pledged the state’s readiness to align with federal interventions. He described water as “a fundamental human right” and stressed that climate change challenges must be tackled with innovative and inclusive strategies.

  • FG executes 1,500 water, sanitation projects nationwide in two years – Minister

    FG executes 1,500 water, sanitation projects nationwide in two years – Minister

    The Federal Government has executed over 1,500 water and sanitation projects across Nigeria in the past two years,  Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has disclosed.

    Utsev revealed this on Friday during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation in Abuja, to mark President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two years in office.

    The minister highlighted key achievements, saying, the Odo-Ape Dam in Kogi State, Rafin Yashin Multipurpose Dam in Niger State, and Amla Dam in Otukpo, Benue State have all been completed and commissioned.

    He also noted that design works have been concluded for the construction of the Dasin Hausa Dam in Adamawa State, a strategic buffer dam to mitigate the devastating effects of flooding from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.

    Utsev disclosed that a hydropower plant and a cargo agro-allied airport in Kashimbila, Taraba State, have been concessioned, generating over N7 billion in commencement fees for the Federal Government’s special account as of January last year through Public Private Partnership.

    In the irrigation sector, the minister announced the completion of major projects in Bakolori (Zamfara State), Dadin Kowa (Gombe State), and Igogidigidi (Oyo State).

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     He added that over 154,000 hectares of irrigable land have been developed across the 12 River Basin Development Authorities to support year-round agriculture and boost food security.

     Additional achievements include the completion and commissioning of the Gashua Water Supply Scheme in Yobe State, a water facility at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Kubwa, Abuja, and the Birni Kudu Water Supply Scheme in Jigawa State.

     He also confirmed that the Gombe Regional Water Supply Scheme is now ready for commissioning.

    Utsev further announced that 40 more local government areas have achieved Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, raising the total number to 142 nationwide.

     He said the ministry plans to deliver 11 more water projects before the end of the year and is working on over 30 major projects, including dams and water supply schemes, currently at various stages of completion.

    Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to ensuring universal access to clean water and improved sanitation, Utsev stressed that special attention is being given to enhancing facilities in public spaces such as schools, worship centers, and hospitals, in collaboration with states, local governments, and development partners.