Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Lower Niger River Basin Authority (LNRBA) jointly executed the project.

Speaking at the event on Monday, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu, the Minister of Water Resources, stated that water is needed in many aspects of life and its availability is crucial for socio-economic development of any country.

Represented by Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Adamu explained that the federal government has developed and implemented policies, projects and programmes geared towards boosting agriculture in the country.

He said that the programmes would enable sustainable access to safe and sufficient water to meet the social, cultural, environmental and economic development needs of all Nigerians.

“The Ministry rolled out policy initiative 2016-2030, including water sector roadmaps targeted to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 6, and the development and implementation of a National Irrigation Developments Programmeto boost food production,” he said.

According to him, the ministry has implemented several strategies towards the realisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s June 12 promise to take 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.

He added that the Omu’aran irrigation project was conceived by LNRBA in 2015, awarded in 2016 and completed in 2022.

Adamu observed that the irrigation project would boost people’s engagement in year round farming activities, adding that the community’s food production will increase while income generation will be enhanced due to increase in farm yield.

Dr Adeniyi Aremu, the Managing Director of LNRBA, noted that the authority has over the years been effectively and efficiently implementing the nation’s water resources development policies geared towards improving the quality of life of the populace.

Aremu explained that the federal government policies and programmes have encouraged diversification of the economy and infrastructural development in water sector.

He said: “The Authority identified Omu’aran as the leading start-up community in Irepodun LGA for implementation of agric and water sector transformation through construction of a dam and a pilot irrigation scheme.

“The Omu’aran irrigation project comprises of an earth dam with a capacity 3.5 million cubic metres, 220m long, and 10.50m high, with 6m top width”.

Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara appreciated the federal government initiative, saying it will boost food production in the state.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by Mr Abdullateef Alakawa, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, added that the state government would continue to be at the forefront of promoting agricultural revolution in the state.

In his appreciative remark, Oba AbdulRaheem Adeoti, the Olomu of Omu’aran, expressed happiness on the completion of the irrigation project.

He however appealed to government at all tiers to extend the project to capture water reticulation across the town for the benefit of the host community.

Mr Kayode Sangoyemi, the Managing Director of Turning Point Engineering Ltd, explained that the dam has immense benefit for the residents.

According to him, it will create extensive, integrated farming, aquaculture, animal husbandry and holds future promise of portable water supply in the area.