WorldStage Newsonine– Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engineer Professor Joseph Utsev has inaugurated the Rafin Yashin multipurpose Dam in Minna, Niger State .
The project which was initiated by the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority is aimed at providing water for Songhai Integrated Farm and Rafin Yashi Irrigation Project as a deliberate effort by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to boost food production in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to ensure food security across the country.
Performing the ceremony, Professor Utsev called for more collaboration between States and the private sector especially in the area of irrigation and water supply emphasizing that it was the desire of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ administration to ensure food security in the country and no effort will be spared to achieve the target.
The Minister had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Bago who was represented by his Deputy Comrade Yakubu Garba during which he informed the Governor that the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority with its Headquarters in Minna has dams in many locations across the state that can be used for irrigation farming and water supply for the benefit of the people of Niger State and the country in general.
In response, Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba expressed the state’s readiness to collaborate with the Federal Government.
He further disclosed that despite possessing dams, the state faces challenges to fully utilize them due to limited resources.
He appealed to the Minister to support the state in addressing water challenges and urged assistance in constructing additional water works for irrigation farming and consumption to tackle water scarcity in certain communities to enhance the state and country’s economy.
As part of the inauguration events, Professor Utsev also officially opened the Rafin Yashi Dam road, inspected the Agro-Tourism Facility, Concrete Reservoir, and Songhai Integrated Farm. Additionally during which he also presented certificates to graduates of the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority Empowerment Center.
