By Terhemen Oraduen
This post has been made in line with the saying that if you don’t tell the world what you’re doing, nobody will know.
There is so much the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev has been doing silently , with the support of our dear President Bola Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume to enhance the progress of Benue State without beating the drums to draw attention. This is simply because he is a humble man who prefers that his efforts should speak for themselves.
Good enough, there are physical testaments to the value additions he has brought to bear on the development of Nigeria as a whole.
For the purpose of today ,we will focus on the achievements of the Honourable Minister to Benue State which include;
1. He attracted an over N18 billion contract for the reconstruction of the Ugbema-Ameladu-Gboko Water Works, Gboko
The water project is designed to tackle water scarcity in Gboko, Buruku and Ushongo communities.
2. He also attracted another contract for the construction of over 100 water schemes in communities facing water scarcity across the twenty three local governments in Benue. Already, work on most of the water schemes have reached seventy five percent completion.
3. He ensured the completion of the Amla Dam in Otukpo.
4. He secured approval of funds for the completion of the Otukpo Multipurpose Dam which will boost Hydropower in zone C and scale up irrigation farming.
5. He facilitated the ongoing work on the Makurdi Irrigation Project.
The project is designed to boost irrigation farming at the banks of River Benue and provide job opportunities for women and youths.
6. In addition, he facilitated the contract for the construction of water schemes in Wannune.
7. He constructed Ugondo Community Access Road in Makurdi town.
8. He facilitated the contract for the redesign of Wannune Dam project .
9. Others are the Irrigation Scheme under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) in Katsina Ala Irrigation Project site with 1,000Ha while in 2026 and upscale to 4,000Ha in Makurdi and Ber-Agbum (Ushongo LGA) in 2027. The project has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for immediate execution.
10. He ensured the Study and Design of the Dura Dam project, and the construction work will commence soon.
The Dam is designed to control excess water from River Katsina-Ala.
11. The Minister also facilitated the contract for the construction of Jingir – Abuku Rural Road project.
The road, when completed, will ease human and vehicular movement in the area and enhance transportation of farm produce to the markets.
13. Equally, he has secured employment of sixty eight Benue youths into the Federal Civil Service.
14. Professor Utsev has provided scholarship for many Benue youths studying in various tertiary institutions of learning across the country.
15. He also sponsored free medical treatment for thousands of Benue people in Makurdi, Otukpo, Ogbadibo, Gboko and Ugbema where people from zones A, B and C were treated of various ailments.There are many more.
With every sense of modesty, this record breaking scorecard of the Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev contributions to the development of Benue State within two years deserves appreciation from all well-meaning citizens of Benue, especially in view of the fact that the Honourable Minister’s constituency is the entire Nigeria.
We prayer that he continues to enjoy the grace of God and the ears of Mr President to do more for Benue State and Nigeria at large.
Terhemen Oraduen is Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. He writes in Abuja.
