The Federal Government Technical Committee on Evaluation of Dams has visited Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of the project.
The Director, Dams and Reservoirs, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Ali Ibrahim, made this known on Saturday in Ibadan. Ibrahim, who led the technical sub-committee on the visit, said that the evaluation of dams across the country was necessitated by the recent collapse of a section of the spillway of Alau dam in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to him, the sub-committee which comprises inter-ministerial technical members has a mandate to undertake detailed assessment of dams in Nigeria. He said the exercise was to determine the dams’ structural integrity, impact on downstream conditions as well as the social and environmental conditions on rural communities.
Speaking on the findings of the sub-committee on Ikere Gorge dam, Ibrahim said: “the 41 year-old Ikere Gorge dam, though has operational and maintenance challenges, appears to be in good condition.
“The dam is intact and safe, but requires minor rehabilitation, which is the vegetation on the dam that needs to be removed.
“The findings on the dam will form a robust action plan that will help to combat the challenges facing the dam structure.”
The project manager of the Ikere Gorge dam, Mr Oluyemi Adekunle, said the dam was a multi-purpose one constructed by Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority.
Adekunle said the dam was designed to generate six megawatts of electricity; to control flood; for fishing, irrigation; recreation activities and also for educational research.
He described the inspection of the dam as a welcome development, saying the recommendation of the sub-committee would make the project come up fully soonest.
Adekunle urged the federal government to as a matter of urgency fix the road from Iseyin to the dam, adding that security of the project was also important.
(NAN)
