By Mark Pam, Jos

The Federal Government has commenced preliminary work for the construction of a multi-billion naira multipurpose dam in Gille community, Kanke Local Government Area of Plateau State, in a move aimed at ending over a century of water scarcity and infrastructural neglect.

The high-level technical inspection of the site was led on Monday by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, alongside the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Plateau State Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Hon. Bashir Lawandi Datti.

The project is designed to provide potable water, irrigation, electricity, and access roads to Gille — a community over 100 years old that currently has no borehole, school, health facility, or motorable road.

Speaking to community members, Prof. Yilwatda described the dam as a “transformational blueprint” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

“This is more than water; this is life. It is agriculture, livestock production, and a sustainable source of livelihood. This project will facilitate job creation and wealth for this community,” Yilwatda said.

He added that the dam would be linked to an extensive reticulation network to supply pipe-borne water to homes in Gille and adjoining communities across Kanke and neighboring LGAs.

“Reticulation will bring water directly into homes. It will provide drinking water for thousands who have never seen pipe-borne water in their lives. Where water flows, roads and electricity will follow,” he said. 

“When water comes, roads will come. Electricity will come. People working here will require schools and healthcare facilities. This is not just a water project; it is rural development.”

Prof. Utsev said the Federal Government is scaling up investments in water infrastructure to boost food production and national stability.

“Water is the bedrock of life and economy. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the ministry to boost food production through irrigation, create jobs for our youths and women, and ensure that governance is felt in the most remote parts of the country,” the Minister stated.

He explained that the visit marked the start of site assessment ahead of detailed engineering designs and feasibility studies. The ministry, he assured, would fast-track the technical phases.

“These dams are not just for storing water. They support irrigation, improve food production, provide water for livestock, generate electricity and help reduce conflicts arising from competition over water resources,” Utsev said.

The Minister also disclosed that work on the Mangu Dam project in Plateau State has reached about 90 per cent completion.

The Plateau Commissioner, Hon. Datti, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the project, noting that “water means life” and the dam would improve agriculture and livelihoods.

Chairman of the Ngas Elders Association, Nde Gideon Barde, said the dam would benefit several neighboring communities by improving access to water for domestic use, irrigation and livestock.

Community leaders described the federal presence as the first of its kind in Gille’s history.

“For over a century, we have existed without a single borehole, functional school, healthcare facility, or access road,” Barde said. “Residents compete with livestock for water from stagnant, unhygienic ponds. This has caused waterborne diseases and stifled farming.”

A resident, Dunbe Madanjyi, said: “This community is over 100 years old. Since I was born, I have never seen good roads, healthcare facilities or potable water here. We have suffered for decades.”

Another resident, Deshi Nenrot Rotgak, said the community currently relies on one borehole while people and animals share natural water sources. 

“We need water, roads, schools and healthcare. This project gives us hope,” he said.

The announcement was met with celebrations in Gille, with locals expressing optimism that the dam will turn Kanke into a hub for agricultural exports and livestock development in Plateau Central.

Stakeholders say when completed, the Gille Multipurpose Dam will address domestic water needs and enable year-round farming through large-scale irrigation.