- In line with President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural agenda, the new dams will facilitate year-round farming and support food security efforts in the region
Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, Managing Director and CEO of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority, announced on Wednesday that the Federal Government has finalised plans to construct seven dams across six southwestern states to boost irrigation and food production.
The announcement was made during the 46th Annual Conference and AGM of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria, held in Lagos.
Ashiru revealed that the government also plans to concession the hydropower component of the Oyan Dam to generate electricity. Built in 1979 with three turbines, the dam has the capacity to produce nine megawatts of power.
In line with President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural agenda, the new dams will facilitate year-round farming and support food security efforts in the region. Ashiru noted that contracts for the projects would be awarded imminently, and each dam site will include greenhouses, open fields for farming, and storage facilities for produce.
Ashiru also highlighted the importance of dams in mitigating ecological challenges like flooding. He credited the foresight behind the Oyan Dam’s construction for preventing severe flooding in parts of Abeokuta and Isheri, among other areas.
In addition to boosting food production, the government’s plans for the Oyan Dam include ongoing discussions with investors to restore its power generation potential, with a goal to finalise concession agreements by next year.
At the event, Ashiru urged engineers to incorporate green technology in their designs to combat climate change and called for stronger environmental regulations and collaboration to build resilient cities. The conference theme, “Sustainable Development: Building Resilient Cities,” reflects the need for innovative strategies to address the country’s climatic and ecological challenges.
The President of the Association, Kem-Selem Bukar, echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of tackling flooding and other environmental issues.