Abuja: The Federal Government has successfully garnered N7 billion from hydropower and agro-allied concessions while extending the country’s irrigable land to 154,000 hectares, as revealed by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev. He made this announcement during the Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Achievements of the Ministry’s Projects and Programmes in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Utsev stated that the 40-megawatt Kashimbilla Hydropower Plant and the Kashimbilla Integrated Cargo and Agro-Allied Airport were concessioned in full compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission Act of 2005. He also mentioned that additional concession agreements are being finalized for several other dams and irrigation schemes, integrating private-sector expertise into agricultural water management.
Utsev emphasized improved flood preparedness, citing the 2024 and 2025 Annual Flood Outlooks, which identified numerous high and moderate-risk communities across the nation. Initiatives to mitigate disasters, such as the National Flood Insurance Programme and the Integrated Climate Resilience Innovation Project, are in place to complement flood forecasting and climate resilience planning.
He clarified that no water had been released from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and urged residents in flood-prone areas to rely on verified updates from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency. The minister also highlighted the strengthening of the ministry’s agencies, with efforts to monitor floods, train youths, and issue water-use licenses.
The development of 154,000 hectares of irrigable land through River Basin Development Authorities is set to benefit 1.6 million farmers engaged in dry-season agriculture. Recent completions of dams in various regions were noted, along with partnerships with international organizations to support sustainable projects.
Utsev also highlighted the progress of sanitation programmes and the participation of 26 states in the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) programme. He outlined targets for 2026, including dam completions, water supply schemes, and enhanced citizen feedback mechanisms, reaffirming the centrality of water, sanitation, irrigation, and hydropower to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Earlier, Dr. Emanso Umobong, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, stressed the importance of the Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement in enhancing accountability and transparency. She highlighted the sector’s significance to public health, economic development, and national well-being, underscoring the importance of stakeholder feedback to improve service delivery.
Umobong also mentioned that the engagement was anchored in Presidential Executive Orders aimed at strengthening coordination and accountability in implementing government priorities. Ministries are required to hold stakeholder engagement meetings quarterly to refine policies and improve programme implementation.