The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation has dispatched technical experts to evaluate dams in Imo State in order to develop a comprehensive plan to address construction challenges. The Deputy Director of the technical division within the ministry shared this information in Owerri, emphasizing that the subcommittee established by the minister is analyzing the structural integrity of dams in the South-East region. The team is also assessing the environmental and social impact of the dams on local communities and the surrounding areas, particularly the riparian communities.
The purpose of the visit to the dams is to create a detailed action plan focusing on flood management, irrigation, power supply, and hydropower development in Nigeria. Dams in Enugu and Imo States have been visited by the subcommittee. Following the assessments, the inter-ministerial technical committee will convene to review the findings and provide technical recommendations.
The Minister has assembled a technical subcommittee consisting of various entities, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigeria Society of Engineers, to conduct a thorough evaluation of dams nationwide to ensure their structural integrity. The goal is to determine the condition of dams to guarantee their safety, effectiveness, and impact on communities.
In a previous development, an inter-ministerial technical committee was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu to evaluate dams in Nigeria. This committee, chaired by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, includes members from various ministries such as Finance, Information, Budget, Works, National Security, and Housing and Urban Development.