The Federal Government is launching a new multipurpose dam project in the Gile community of Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State. This effort aims to resolve a persistent water scarcity issue that has plagued local residents for more than a century. The initiative was confirmed during a site visit by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, alongside APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Bashir Lawandi Datti.
The planned infrastructure is designed to offer far more than a water source. It is expected to facilitate irrigation, livestock support, electricity generation, and improved road networks. Prof. Yilwatda emphasized that the dam serves as a catalyst for broader rural development, noting that once water supply is established, electricity and essential social services like healthcare and schools often follow. He characterized the project as a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s rural development agenda.
Minister Utsev explained that the visit served as a preliminary assessment, which will be followed by comprehensive engineering and feasibility studies to finalize the project’s design and timeline. Beyond water supply, the dam will assist in flood control and regional economic growth. The minister also noted that the ongoing Mangu Dam project in the state is nearly finished, currently at 90 percent completion.
Local inhabitants, including community member Dunbe Madanjyi, expressed relief, stating that the project is the first significant government intervention the community has seen in its long history. Currently, residents often share natural water sources with their livestock due to a lack of basic infrastructure. The Ngas Elders Association also lauded the project as a vital investment that will stabilize the agricultural sector and improve living standards for multiple neighboring districts.
