A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa, Hon. Shina Peller, has called for the urgent resuscitation of the abandoned Ikere Gorge Dam project situated in Iseyin local government of Oyo State.
The federal legislator made this call on Monday when he paid a visit to Ikere community and inspected the abandoned project, which was initiated by the military regime of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, but was started by the administration of Shehu Shagari in 1983 as the civilian president, whilst the project has since been abandoned by subsequent governments.
Ikere Gorge Dam, a 565 million cubic-metre multi-purpose dam, is the biggest in the South West region of the country, and has the capacity to generate electricity, enhance fishing, tourism and can supply water to the whole of South West for irrigation activities.
During his visit to the Dam, Hon. Peller expressed his sadness that such a giant project like Ikere Gorge Dam which has a great potential that can be tapped to stimulate economic growth could be abandoned for years even as it was almost at the completion stage.
In the same vein, Hon. Peller lamented the deplorable state of the road that leads to the dam, adding that the inaccessible state of the road is enough to discourage potential investors and tourists from developing interest in the project. He, therefore, called for the urgent reconstruction of the road and resuscitation of the project.
“There is need for us to bring Ikere Gorge Dam to life. Aside the fact that the dam has the capacity to generate electricity and water for irrigation activities in the South West, it can also help promote tourism, enhance agricultural businesses. It will also aid massive job opportunities and wealth creation for our people,” Hon Peller said.
