She said, in the last four years, the federal government has completed 37 large dams of various sizes, rehabilitated 10 dams, while construction works on 149 dams of various capacities is on-going across the country.
Ochekpe said when the construction of all the dams is completed the water impoundment in the nation’s dams would be increased by 3.6 billion cubic meters.
According to a statement by the ministry, Ochekpe stated these in her presentation at the Public Affairs Forum on ‘Jonathan Administration, Four Impactful Years’ organised by the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in Abuja recently.
She noted that out of the 37 completed dams, 16 were with hydropower potentials, capable of generating 135.15 megawatts of electricity.
She said that the ministry engaged in the construction, operation and maintenance of dams nationwide to impound raw water for potable water supply, hydropower, irrigation, fishery development, flood control, tourism and recreation.
Ochekpe further said that some existing dams, including the breached Goronyo Dam emergency spillway in Sokoto, Alau Dam in Borno, Tiga and Chalawa Gorge dams in Kano, Hadejia Barrage in Hadejia as well as other dams in many states, have been rehabilitated for more optimal operation.
She disclosed that the procurement of the works on the proposed Datsin Hausa Dam that would address the issues of flooding as a result of uncontrolled release of water from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon is currently under review.
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