The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to prioritize the re-award and completion of the Jada Multi-Purpose Dam in Adamawa State. The call comes after a motion was adopted on Tuesday by Mr. Mohammed Bassi, a lawmaker representing the area.
The Jada dam, located in the Jada Local Government Area, was originally designed to provide critical water supply, irrigation, and hydropower benefits to the local population. However, despite the contract for the project being awarded to Messrs Ambeez Services Nigeria Limited in November 2010, the dam has remained uncompleted for over a decade.
Bassi explained that the dam’s contract, which was supposed to be completed within 36 months with an additional 12 months for defect liability, was terminated in 2019 due to budgetary constraints, design reviews, and the lack of necessary consultancy services. He lamented that the delay has severely impacted the people of Jada, depriving them of access to clean water for domestic use and irrigation, further exacerbating their socio-economic challenges.
The House of Representatives expressed concern over the continued abandonment of the project, especially since it has not been included in subsequent national budgets. The lack of progress has compounded issues of water scarcity and hindered the region’s agricultural productivity, crucial for the local economy.
In a bid to address these concerns, the House passed a resolution urging the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to include the re-award and completion of the Jada Multi-Purpose Dam in the 2025 budget. The resolution also mandates the Committees on Water Resources and Legislative Compliance to ensure that the project is prioritized and executed without further delay.
The call for action highlights the importance of completing infrastructure projects that support the livelihoods and well-being of local communities, particularly those in underdeveloped areas like Jada.
