The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project is set to develop about 500 hectares of irrigated farmland in Ogbese Community, Ise/Orun Local Government Area of Ekiti State, as part of efforts to boost food production and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The development followed a visit by the SPIN Project team from Abuja to the state to prepare for the commencement of the intervention in the community.
The SPIN Project, a Federal Government initiative backed by the World Bank, is designed to improve water resources management, enhance dam safety, expand sustainable power generation through hydropower and modernise agricultural irrigation across 22 participating states.
Under the cluster-based irrigation system, farmers in Ogbese will have year-round access to water, with farmland allocated according to their areas of agricultural interest.
During the visit, the team held a stakeholders’ engagement with the Baale, community leaders and residents to sensitise them on the objectives, benefits and requirements of the project, before inspecting the proposed sites.
Team Lead and Head of Irrigation, Engr. Hauwa Muhammed, said the programme was approved by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to increase food production and availability across the country.
She described the intervention as a major step towards modernising agriculture, noting that the facilities would give farmers adequate water at the right time and in the required quantity and quality.
According to her, the perennial nature of the Ogbese River makes the community suitable for modern irrigation.
She said 10 reservoirs would be constructed to store water drawn from the river and distribute it to farmlands, particularly in the dry season, enabling farmers to cultivate crops up to three times a year.
On sustainability, Muhammed said the project would be community-owned. Beneficiaries, she explained, that beneficiaries are expected to form Water Users Associations and make modest contributions towards an Operation and Maintenance of Water Service Fee, which would be used to maintain the infrastructure, including clearing canals and removing surrounding vegetation.
“The sustainability of the facilities will depend largely on beneficiaries’ commitment and sense of ownership,” she stressed.
She assured farmers of adequate capacity-building programmes to equip them to operate and manage the facilities. She also urged residents to embrace teamwork, stressing that every beneficiary must belong to a Water Users Association, and called for active participation of women, particularly in leadership positions.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Engr. Toyin Ojelabi-Pedro, described the project as a historic opportunity to create wealth, improve agricultural productivity and accelerate the state’s economic development.
She urged residents to embrace peace, unity and cooperation, warning that disunity could undermine the project’s implementation and sustainability.
The Baale of Ogbese, Chief Dele Bello, commended the Ekiti State Government for selecting the community, describing the project as an opportunity to transform the area and improve residents’ economic fortunes.
He, however, drew attention to the recurring flooding in the community during the rainy season, expressing hope that the intervention would help reduce the volume of floodwater.
He urged residents to cooperate with the project team and spread information about the programme to ensure wider participation.
Engr. Daniel Osasona, who represented the State Focal Person, Engr. Abiodun Alabi, said the project’s success would depend largely on the support of the host community.
He appealed to the Baale and other leaders to maintain peace and prevent any disruption.
The Chairman of the Farmers’ Association, Mr Ogunmoroti Abiodun, assured the team of the farmers’ cooperation, expressing confidence that the project would be successfully implemented and deliver positive results.