Gurara Dam host communities reiterate cooperation in dam construction

The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe, has extended her appreciation and that of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the people of Kachia/Kagarko of Kaduna State for the cooperation shown in the construction of Gurara Dam.
The minister disclosed this in Abuja when a high powered delegation led by Hon. Adams Jagaba, member representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, had audience with her.
Ochekpee reiterated President Goodluck Jonathan’s passion for all round development of the economy and particularly the water sector because of the economic and social importance of the resources.
“Because what we do in the water sector has direct benefits and impact on the lives of Nigerians, Mr. President is particularly concerned about the transformation of the sector,” she stated.
Speaking on the construction of the project, she said the people should be thankful to Jonathan, who not only made sure that fund was approved for the construction of the dam, but also in made sure that such funds were released on time.
Ochekpe said that one peculiar characteristics of the dam was that it is multi-purpose in design, which was a sharp contrast from what used to be before her coming as a minister of Water Resources.
She explained that the dam, apart from providing raw bulk water, can also be used for hydro power generation, irrigation, tourism, fisheries as well as setting up small cottage industries for active economic participation.
Earlier, Jagaba had thanked the Minister and assured her of their continued support and cooperation to the Ministry and the Federal Government for other activities of the dam.
He however drew the attention of Ochekpe to the road construction work though being handled satisfactorily by Salini Nigeria but the non-casting of the spill-way under the fly-over bridge posed danger to the lives of the people as well as the electricity transfer to Kaduna without taking into cognizance the non availability of electricity in the host communities.
On behalf of the host communities of the project, he thanked the Ministry for facilitating the Gurara Water Project to its present stage of completion, which is 100 per cent completed and that they were very proud to be identified with the project.