FG inspects irrigation farm project in Makurdi, commissions Ugondo access road

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof Joseph Utsev has inspected the Makurdi irrigation farm project and commissioned Ugondo Community access road.

Ustev, while inspecting the farm at Mbakuv, in Makurdi Local Government Are of the State said the farm has over 3000 hectares irrigable land.

He explained that out of the 3000 hectares, 1200 hectares would be used for the irrigation farming while the remaining 1800 hectares would be used for the upcoming Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project.

He said while 400 hectares were already cleared and in use, contract was awarded for the study and design of the 600 hectares which was at advance stage.

The Minister also said that for the expansion of the existing irrigation farm to take off effectively, contract was also awarded for the construction of water channels in the farm.

“We have given a contract for construction of irrigation channels. We also give a contract for drip irrigation and contract for the study and design for the expansion of the existing irrigation farm.

“The contractor handling the construction of the channels is doing very well. In fact, the construction of the channel is almost 90 percent, completed while the drip irrigation is about 67 percent completed.

“You can see crops that have been cultivated are doing well. We have garden eggs, maize and pepper.
So this is what we are doing in different part of Nigeria.”he said

The Minister also disclosed that the Otukpo Multipurpose Dam which was about 50 per cent completion was included in the 2025 budget and would be completed.

He said the ministry was also thinking of generating power at the dam to improve power supply in the country.

At the commissioning of the 1.5 kilo meter Ugondo Community access road, Utsev said the road would enable the community convey their agricultural produce to the town.

He said the road would also improve the general socio-economic living of the entire community.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, urged the people to continue to support the Minister for more dividends of democracy.

Pheelangwah said a lot of projects would come with the people’s support and cooperation with the minister.

Also, HRH, Ter Makurdi, Chief Vincent Aule commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Sen George Akume as the SGF and Utsev as a minister, pledging that the Benue people were behind the President and would support his second term ambition.

Speaking to newsmen, one of the contractors, Orje Torhee said his contract included the construction of a two bedroom apartment farmhouse that also houses a training space.

Torhee said they were also handling the 10 hectares drip irrigation farm project adding that all the projects were at 80 per cent completion.

He said when completed the farm would be divided into portions and given to farmers by the government.