The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to prioritize the re-award and completion of the Jada Multipurpose Dam in Adamawa State, highlighting its critical role in boosting the socio-economic development of the region.
The call followed a motion moved by Rep Mohammed Inuwa Bassi, who stressed that the dam, situated in Jada Local Government Area, is a vital project aimed at addressing water supply, supporting irrigation farming, and generating hydropower benefits.
Bassi explained that irrigation farming remains the backbone of the local economy, providing employment opportunities for youth and enhancing food security in Adamawa State. However, he lamented that the project, initially awarded in November 2010 to Messrs Ambeez Services Nigeria Limited, had suffered over a decade of delays.
The project, which was scheduled for completion within 36 months with an additional 12 months for defect liability, was terminated in 2019 due to inadequate budgetary allocations, design revisions, and the lack of consultancy services.
“The non-completion of the project has deprived the people of Jada LGA of a critical source of clean water for domestic and irrigation purposes, worsening their existing challenges,” Bassi said.
The lawmaker expressed concern that since the contract’s termination, no concrete steps had been taken to revive the dam, and it had been excluded from successive federal budgets.
The House further voiced worries about the severe impact of the abandoned project on the local population, particularly in terms of access to clean water and missed agricultural opportunities that could improve livelihoods and drive development.
In its resolution, the House directed the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to include the re-award and completion of the Jada Multipurpose Dam in the 2025 budget proposals. The Committees on Water Resources and Legislative Compliance were tasked with ensuring the resolution’s implementation.
The Jada Multipurpose Dam is envisioned to transform agricultural productivity, support clean water supply, and stimulate sustainable development in Adamawa State once completed.
