The Federal Government has commenced a preliminary site assessment for the proposed construction of a multipurpose dam in the Gyele community of Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State. 

Inspecting the proposed site, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, stated that technical teams will conduct detailed feasibility studies and engineering designs to determine the project’s scale, cost, and implementation timeline before construction commences.

The Minister was accompanied on the inspection tour by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Datti. 

Professor Utsev explained that the proposed dam is conceived as a multi-benefit asset engineered for domestic potable water supply, irrigation for dry-season farming, livestock production, hydropower generation, and flood control, in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on expanding rural water infrastructure.

Dr Nentawe Yilwatda described the project as a catalyst for rural economic growth, noting that the initiative will include an extensive water reticulation network to supply surrounding communities across Kanke and neighbouring local government areas. 

Yilwatda added that the project will attract secondary infrastructure investments, including feeder roads, rural electrification, healthcare centres, and educational facilities. 

Plateau State Commissioner Bashir Datti and the Chairman of the Ngas Elders Association, Nde Barde, commended the federal initiative, pledging local cooperation to ensure the project achieves its intended agricultural and socio-economic outcomes.

Source: Channels TV