The Anambra State government has announced plans to reactivate existing dams and enhance irrigation farming through a partnership with the Federal Government under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project. This World Bank-supported initiative, set to begin in 2025, aims to tackle food sufficiency challenges across the nation.
During a meeting in Awka, Mrs. Stella Arachie, the SPIN Project Leader and Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, highlighted that the project will focus on dam safety, irrigation, and hydropower studies. She noted that the team is assessing suitable locations for reactivating water sources in Anambra, emphasizing the need for water availability during the dry season, secure land ownership, and 500 hectares of land, among other criteria.
Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the Anambra State Government, affirmed the state’s commitment to ensuring the project benefits local farmers by revitalizing existing dams for year-round crop production, particularly rice and maize. Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Forster Ihejiofor, added that dams in Ogboji, Ufuma, and Ifite Ogwari/Omor meet the project’s requirements and have the potential to support irrigation farming throughout the year.
A six-man team from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority has already visited Ogboji and Ifite Ogwari/Omor dams for on-the-spot assessments, signaling the project’s readiness for implementation.
