The Federal Government has finalized plans to construct seven dams across six southwestern states to boost irrigation and enhance food production, according to Dr. Adedeji Ashiru, Managing Director and CEO of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority.
Speaking on Wednesday at the 46th Annual Conference and AGM of the Association for Consulting Engineering in Nigeria (ACEN) in Lagos, Ashiru confirmed that the dams are part of the government’s strategy to align with President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural agenda, ensuring all-year-round farming in the region. The contracts for these dams are set to be awarded by Friday, he added.
Ashiru explained, “These dams will serve primarily for irrigation purposes, promoting sustainable agriculture, and supporting the increase of food production. Each location will feature 12 greenhouses, open fields for farming, and storage facilities for harvested produce.”
In addition to their irrigation benefits, Ashiru revealed that discussions are underway to concession the hydropower-generating capacity of the Oyan Dam. Built in 1979 with three turbines capable of generating nine megawatts of electricity, the Oyan Dam was only operational for an hour post-commissioning. However, ongoing efforts aim to fully harness its power-generation potential, with the goal of completing concession plans by next year.
“The dam’s foresight has protected areas like Abeokuta and Isheri from potential flood damage, showcasing the critical role dams play in managing ecological challenges such as flooding,” Ashiru remarked, stressing the importance of investing in flood control infrastructure to protect communities.
At the conference, the theme of “Sustainable Development: Building Resilient Cities” sparked discussions on how engineers can integrate green technologies into building designs to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Ashiru urged consulting engineers to prioritize flood-resistant designs and incorporate solutions that address global warming’s effects.
Earlier, ACEN President Kem-Selem Bukar emphasized the importance of responding to the country’s increasing ecological and climatic challenges, such as frequent flooding. He also highlighted the association’s efforts to strengthen engineering regulations, announcing that the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) has developed over ten new regulations to combat building collapses, a persistent issue in Nigeria.
Bukar warned that anyone found guilty of violating engineering regulations would face stringent penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and possible revocation of professional licenses. He noted that quackery and the involvement of unregistered professionals in construction have contributed to the problem, with building collapses occurring as often as three times a week.
The two-day conference concluded with proposals aimed at building more resilient cities in response to climate-related challenges, with recommendations to be forwarded to the relevant authorities.
