The Federal Government has announced plans to construct a new dam at Limpye in Ampang East District of Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State as part of efforts to improve water supply, irrigation and hydropower generation in the state.

It also assured that the Mangu Dam in Pankshin Local Government Area, now about 90 per cent completed, would soon be completed and commissioned to serve communities across the state.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, disclosed this during an assessment visit to the proposed Limpye Dam site alongside officials of the ministry and technical experts.

According to him, the inspection followed the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ministry to assess dams nationwide with a view to rehabilitating existing facilities and developing new ones where necessary.

“The proposed Limpye Dam will provide clean, safe and sustainable water to communities in Kanke and surrounding areas. It will also support irrigation farming, create employment opportunities for women and youths, and increase hydropower generation for the national grid,” Utsev said.

The minister explained that construction of the dam would commence after the completion of feasibility studies, detailed engineering designs and approval by the Federal Executive Council, FEC.

He reiterated that the Mangu Dam project had reached 90 per cent completion and would provide irrigation facilities, potable water supply and electricity generation when completed.

“The Mangu Dam is nearing completion and will soon be commissioned to deliver its intended benefits to the people,” he said.

Utsev further disclosed that ongoing dam projects across the country, including those along the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway corridor, were designed to improve domestic water supply, support year-round agriculture, reduce farmer-herder conflicts and boost electricity generation.

He also noted that rehabilitation works at the Alau Dam in Borno State were progressing, while several other dam projects nationwide were at advanced stages of completion.

Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations and Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Engr. Ali Ibrahim Dallah, said the visit was aimed at carrying out a pre-feasibility assessment of the proposed Limpye Dam site.

“This is a pre-feasibility visit to determine the suitability of the site. Subsequent visits will involve detailed feasibility studies, engineering designs and the preparation of comprehensive technical reports by experts,” Dallah said.

He explained that the technical assessments would guide the planning and eventual execution of the project to ensure it meets the required engineering and environmental standards.

The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to delivering critical water infrastructure projects across the country, saying the projects would improve access to potable water, strengthen food security and promote sustainable national development.