Senator Ngwu Demands Completion Of Ivo, Mgbowo Dams In Enugu

The Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, Osita Ngwu, has renewed his call for the speedy completion of the Ivo and Mgbowo Dam projects, describing them as critical infrastructure necessary for sustainable development in Enugu State.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the lawmaker, who chairs the Senate Committee on Air Force, urged the Federal Government to prioritise the projects, stressing that their completion would significantly improve access to potable water, enhance irrigation for agricultural activities, create employment opportunities, and stimulate socio-economic growth across benefiting communities.

Ngwu expressed concern that despite repeated appeals, the projects appeared to have been systematically abandoned.

“This is to remind you of my letter dated 8th September, 2023 and to express concerns that despite our appeals for the completion of the Ivo and Mgbowo River dams in Enugu State, there appears to be a systematic abandonment of these critical projects,” he said.

The senator noted that the Ivo Dam project, awarded by the Federal Government in 2012 as a multi-purpose facility, was designed to support irrigation, water supply, fishery, electricity generation, and enable host communities to engage in intensive agriculture, food processing, and agro-allied businesses.

“The Ivo dam project, which was awarded by the Federal Government in 2012 as a multi-purpose dam built for irrigation, water supply, fishery, electricity generation and to enable the host communities to engage in intensive agriculture, food processing and agro-allied businesses, has suffered non-budgetary allocation since 2014 to date. Ditto Mgbowo dam,” Ngwu stated.

He described the development as disappointing, alleging that the South-East geopolitical zone has been excluded from recent budgetary allocations for dam rehabilitation and development.

“It is very disappointing to note that while other zones received and continue to receive considerable budgetary allocations, only the South-East zone is left out. Ditto the Mgbowo dam. It is particularly troubling that these dams and others within the South-East have not enjoyed funding for some time,” he said.

Ngwu further lamented that the projects were not included in the Ministry’s 2026 budget proposal, despite expectations that they would be.

“It had been expected that the Ministry, in its 2026 budget proposal, would have captured these projects, but sadly, this is not the case. As you may be aware, money was earmarked by the government in the Renewed Hope Fund for rehabilitation of dams across the country, yet it is only the South-East zone that received zero allocation among all the River Basin Development Authorities in the country,” he added.

The lawmaker emphasised that key infrastructure projects in Enugu State are pivotal to improving access to potable water, boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing connectivity, and stimulating local economic growth.

He maintained that the people of Enugu State deserved to benefit fully from such developmental initiatives without unnecessary delays or setbacks.