The Kogi State Ministry of Water Resources and the National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration towards the rehabilitation and expansion of water infrastructure to improve potable water supply for host communities.
The two bodies made during a strategic meeting between the two bodies and other stakeholders’ held at the NIOMCO Conference Hall in Itakpe on Tuesday.
Speaking during the visit, the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Engr. Yahaya M.D. Farouk, said the Ministry”s visit was to formally seek partnership for the use of Osara Dam, strengthen collaboration with a view to providing portable water for the communities.
He noted with concern, the decline in activities in what was once a vibrant mining environment and expressed optimism that the renewed efforts by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would restore the fortunes of NIOMCO and its host communities.
The Commissioner explained that the Ministry’s visit was primarily to reactivate the region’s water supply project initiated between 2020 and 2021 but later suspended, explaining that all necessary approvals and official correspondences regarding the project remained valid and that His Excellency, the Chief Servant of the State, Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo, is committed to Reviving the Osara Dam and Executing the Project.
He stated that the project is being conceived to treat and provide portable water to the Central Senatorial district’s four Local Government Areas of Adavi,Ogori/Magongo, Okehi and Okene.
According to Engr. Farouk, a reputable consulting firm, GAUFF Consultants Nig Ltd has been engaged to carry out detailed Studies and Engineering Designs for the project, while noting that a similar project is being proposed for replication across other Senatorial districts, thereby affirming the Governor’s commitment to providing portable water supply to the citizenry.
“It is important to stress at this juncture that our leader, the Chief servant, His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo remains committed to providing necessary infrastructure for the people, and this means all sectors will be touched positively for the benefit of the people and this is simply because this is the contract he signed with the people. This visit therefore, is significant in many respects, we shall ensure that the water project is Revitalised “, the Commissioner stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Acting Sole Administrator of National Iron Ore Mining Company, Engineer. I. F. Loto, acknowledged the Ministry’s request concerning the supply of water to communities surrounding the mining company.
He explained that the request had been communicated through official correspondence and expressed the company’s readiness to engage constructively with the Ministry in order to achieve set objectives.
According to him, the provision of water to neighbouring communities aligns with one of the original objectives behind the establishment of NIOMCO, noting that the company’s water infrastructure was designed not only to support Iron Ore processing operations, but also to provide potable water to workers and surrounding communities.
Engr. Loto disclosed that approximately 3,000 cubic metres of water had been earmarked for community supply, stressing that the company was presently unable to exceed the approved allocation due to the current capacity of the dam.
He explained that the dam, being an earth dam, has experienced a reduction in its storage capacity as a result of silt accumulation over the years, making desilting and rehabilitation necessary to improve its efficiency and long-term sustainability.
The Acting Sole Administrator also drew the team’s attention to installations observed around the dam, stating that the company was seeking clarification on their origin and purpose to ensure that such developments do not compromise the structural integrity and viability of the facility.
While welcoming the Ministry’s delegation, he assured the team of NIOMCO’s willingness to provide the necessary support within the framework of existing approvals and operational capacity.
Reports indicate that discussions during the meeting centred on the need for sustained collaboration between both institutions to improve water infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency and guarantee reliable access to potable water for residents of Itakpe and other adjoining communities.
Stakeholders at the meeting expressed confidence that the renewed collaboration would not only improve access to safe water, but also contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the host communities and support the continued revitalisation of NIOMCO’s operations.
