Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has announced an expanded partnership with the Ogun Osun River Basin Authority, coinciding with the agency’s tour of ongoing projects across the state.
During a meeting with the delegation led by Managing Director Dr. Adedeji Ashiru at the Government House, Governor Adeleke called for a more robust collaboration between the state and the River Basin Authority, highlighting the extensive programs the agency is implementing in Osun.
Responding to updates on the Iragbiji Dam, Governor Adeleke directed relevant state ministries to develop measures to utilize the dam for irrigation purposes, as proposed by the River Basin Authority. He expressed surprise that the dam had remained unused since its handover to the state government in 2018.
Dr. Ashiru, in his address, detailed several ongoing projects in Osun and specifically requested the governor’s intervention regarding the Iragbiji Dam. He noted that the dam, completed and handed over in 2018, has the potential to support irrigation farming, aligning with both federal and state agendas for food security.
Approving the request, Governor Adeleke instructed the Commissioners for Water Resources and Agriculture to conduct an immediate assessment of the dam, lamenting the neglect of such a crucial state asset.
“Our government is committed to a strong partnership with your agency,” Governor Adeleke stated. “Collaboration with the River Basin Authority will enhance our efforts to achieve food security. The vision for river basin authorities across the states emphasizes local partnerships. Osun has had such collaborations in the past, but we need to deepen these relationships.”
Governor Adeleke’s directives and the renewed partnership aim to leverage the Iragbiji Dam for agricultural development, ensuring better resource utilization and contributing to the state’s food security goals.
