Nov. 15, 2023

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, has inaugurated the Rafin Yashin multipurpose Dam in Minna, Niger State.

The Dam project, which was initiated by the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, is aimed at providing water for Songhai Integrated Farming and Rafin Yashi Irrigation Project.

Utsev, in a statement on Wednesday, said it was a deliberate effort by the ministry to boost food production in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure food security across the country.

He called for more collaboration between states and the private sector in the areas of irrigation and water supply.

According to him, it is the desire of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure food security in the country, saying no effort will be spared to achieve the target.

The Minister had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago who was represented by his Deputy, Yakubu Garba.

At the meeting, he informed the governor that the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority with its Headquarters in Minna, had dams in many locations across the state that can be used for irrigation farming.

This, he added, could be a good source for water supply for the benefit of the state and the country in general.

In his response, the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government.

He further said that in spite of the state possessing dams, it faced huge challenges to fully utilise them due to limited resources.

He appealed to the minister to support the state in addressing water challenges, adding that assistance was needed in constructing additional water works for irrigation farming and personal consumption.

This, the deputy governor said would help to tackle water scarcity in certain communities to enhance the state and country’s economy.

Utsev also officially opened the Rafin Yashi Dam road, inspected the Agro-Tourism Facility, Concrete Reservoir, and Songhai Integrated Farm.

He also presented certificates to graduates of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority Empowerment Center.