The dredging of the Niger and Benue rivers will resume, according to proposals revealed over the weekend by Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.
He said that the project would reduce flooding in the region and alter the entire economic corridor between the states of Niger and Benue.
Prof. Utsev noted that his ministry had formed committees to consider the specifics of the two rivers’ dredging operations.
During a graduation ceremony for a youth empowerment program and a distribution of supplies hosted by the Lower Niger River Basin Authority, he answered queries from journalists by saying, “Dredging of rivers Niger and Benue is what we are working on. We have established a few committees.
“The committees will assess the feasibility of the dredging. After that, we will discuss it with President Bola Tinubu. At that point, we will then tell all Nigerians where we are on the dredging of the two rivers.”
He added that his ministry is working to ensure the provision of potable water, sanitation, and irrigation.
“Water for irrigation will be used to provide food for the enhancement of food security and ultimately generate income and empowerment. As you can see, some youths are being empowered today. Water is not only important; it is essential for the existence of living organisms.
“President Tinubu, in his Renewed Hope agenda, promised to work on food security and revive Nigeria’s economy in addition to healthcare and security. We at the ministry are working assiduously to see how we can provide potable water for drinking, sanitation, and irrigation,” he said.