David Arin
DAILY COURIER - Gombe State’s Dadin-Kowa Dam has been declared secure and fully operational by the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev. Following an inspection of the dam, the Minister assured the public that there are no threats to its stability, dismissing recent concerns about its functionality.
Speaking during the visit, which was also attended by the Honourable Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, and a team of water experts, Prof. Utsev confirmed that the dam is in optimal condition. The Minister stated that the dam undergoes rigorous daily monitoring and routine inspections, ensuring that all key components, including the spillway and penstock, are functioning as intended. He emphasized the dam’s vital role in hydropower generation, irrigation, and water supply.
“The Dadin-Kowa Dam is operating optimally, and there is no cause for alarm. It is safe and continues to support various sectors, including power generation and irrigation. Our Ministry is fully committed to maintaining Nigeria’s water infrastructure and providing accurate updates on their status,” Prof. Utsev stated.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing projects tied to the dam, including the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMMING) Project and the upcoming Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project. These initiatives, he said, are aimed at enhancing dam safety, boosting irrigation, and expanding power generation capabilities across Nigeria.
In line with this, Engr. Caleb Tyowuah, Acting Managing Director of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority, provided additional details on the dam’s capacity and performance. He confirmed that the Dadin-Kowa Dam, which has a live storage capacity of 1.77 million cubic meters, is successfully irrigating 2,100 hectares of land, with plans to expand this to 30,000 hectares. The dam is also generating 40 megawatts of electricity, contributing significantly to the region's power supply.
The inspection visit also provided an opportunity to hear from Mabon Energy Limited, the company managing the Dadin-Kowa Hydro Power Plant. Project Manager, Mr. Jayaharan Paul, affirmed that the dam remains a critical asset to the region’s power grid, and its continued operation is essential to meeting local energy demands.
Bello Muhammad Goronyo, the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, stressed the importance of preventing the spread of misinformation about the dam’s condition. He urged the public to rely on expert consultation and accurate information, particularly when it concerns critical infrastructure like the Dadin-Kowa Dam.
“The Ministry is dedicated to ensuring the safety and functionality of our national assets in line with the administration’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ We call on all Nigerians to trust in the integrity of these systems and the ongoing work to maintain them,” Rt. Hon. Goronyo said.
The inspection tour was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, including the Director General of the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Hon. Umar Ibrahim Mohammed, managing directors of river basin development authorities, water resources experts, and technical engineers.
The Dadin-Kowa Dam, a critical piece of infrastructure in Nigeria's water and power sectors, continues to provide essential services to the region, underscoring the government’s commitment to supporting food production, job creation, and economic growth through sustainable water resource management.
Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations, confirmed the government’s focus on enhancing service delivery and maintaining the dam’s operational integrity. She emphasized that the Ministry is working continuously to ensure that water infrastructure across the nation meets global standards and contributes to the well-being of all Nigerians.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, effective communication, and the ongoing improvement of national water resources and infrastructure.
