Ikere Gorge, Oyan Dams To Boost Hydropower Supplies In Ogun, Oyo

Managing director of Ogun Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), Engr. Dr. Adedeji Ashiru yesterday assured that the twin Ikere Gorge Dam at Iseyin in Oyo State, as well as the Oyan River Dam in Odeda local government area of Ogun State would boost hydro power supply to communities in the two states after rehabilitation works are completed on them.

Ashiru gave the assurance in his address during his tour of projects under the Authority’s mandate which included the twin dams of Oyan in Ogun, Òkété Gorge in Oyo as well as the irrigation project at Iragbiji Dam in Osùn State.

He particularly expressed disappointment at the obsolete turbines installed at the Oyan Dam since the year 1983 which was meant to generate nine Megawatts of electricity for the communities and environs.

The OORBDA’s chief executive officer was however, impressed at what he saw at the Ikere Gorge Dam in Iseyin despite traveling the 28 – klm deplorable road from the main town to the dam site, describing the multipurpose dam as “a game -changer for the region”.

“This multipurpose dam will be providing irrigation water for agriculture development, potable water for nearby communities and designed to generate electricity through hydroelectric power”.

Ashiru’s tour of projects under the Authority’s mandate however, took him to the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro in the Yewa South and Ijebu North East local government areas of Ogun State where the Authority is currently undertaking a study and design for the construction of a dam for water supply at the institution’s estate, as well as the proposed site for irrigation project in Ogun East Senatorial districts of the state.

The tour also took the O-ORBDA MD/CEO to Igan Alade, Oke-Odan of Ogun State, Itoikin in Lagos State. Asa, Sepeteri and Igbojaye Irrigation Projects in Oyo State where he engaged the farmers there and assured them of bringing private investors to boost food production in the areas and also complement their efforts at making more profits in agriculture.

At Ilaro Polytechnic, Ashiru assured the institution’s Deputy Rector, Tpl Ademola Lasisi and other senior management staff of a timely completion of the project being executed by OORBDA, emphasizing that it would solve the perennial water problem of the institution when completed.

At Ijebu North East Local Government Area where the OORBDA team had visited the proposed site for irrigation project, Ashiru informed the traditional ruler of the town, the Ajalaiye of Ilugun South Ijebu, Oba Emmanuel Ademola Oluseyi Olusanu, Tolulade, Ilufemiloye, Atunlute 1 of the determination of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards ensuring food security and self-sufficiency in the country.