Reps Probe N22.58bn Abandoned Kajola Dam Project in Ile-Ife

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandoned construction of the multi-purpose Kajola Dam project, located in Ile-Ife, Osun State — more than two decades after the contract was first awarded.

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The lawmakers’ decision followed growing concerns over the wastage of public funds and the unfulfilled promises of socio-economic transformation that the project was expected to deliver to communities in the Ife zone and beyond.

The resolution was reached after the adoption of a motion presented by a member representing the Ife Federal Constituency, who expressed deep worry that the dam, despite the billions of naira spent on it, remains uncompleted and non-functional, depriving residents of its expected benefits in water supply, irrigation, and power generation.

According to records presented to the House, the Kajola Multipurpose Dam Project was initially awarded in the early 2000s by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources at a cost of ₦22.58 billion. The dam was designed to serve multiple purposes — including providing potable water to Ile-Ife and surrounding communities, facilitating agricultural irrigation, aiding flood control, promoting fisheries development, and offering potential hydroelectric power generation.

However, more than twenty years later, the project remains in ruins — abandoned, overgrown by vegetation, and with its equipment rusting away. Lawmakers described it as “a classic case of neglect, mismanagement, and poor project monitoring that has become all too common in Nigeria’s public works sector.”

The sponsor of the motion lamented that the project, if completed, could have transformed the local economy, created jobs for thousands of young people, and enhanced food production in Osun State. “The Kajola Dam was envisioned to change the agricultural landscape of Ife and nearby communities,” he said. “It was meant to bring clean water to homes, irrigation to farmlands, and hope to families. Today, what we have instead is abandonment — and silence.”

Members of the House noted that similar dam projects across the country have suffered the same fate despite repeated budgetary allocations over the years. They accused successive administrations of failing to monitor public contracts, leading to massive waste of taxpayers’ money.

During the debate, several lawmakers called for the identification and prosecution of all contractors and public officials involved in the mismanagement of the Kajola Dam project. They emphasized that Nigeria cannot continue to tolerate the culture of impunity and unfinished projects that litter the country’s landscape.

In adopting the motion, the House directed its Committee on Water Resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the status of the project. The committee was mandated to determine the level of work done, total funds released, and reasons for the prolonged delay. It is also to identify the contractors, evaluate the extent of the abandonment, and make recommendations for reviving and completing the dam.

The committee is expected to submit its findings within four weeks for further legislative action.

Furthermore, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to provide detailed documentation on all financial transactions, including contracts awarded, mobilization payments, and progress reports since the project’s inception. The Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General were also directed to submit records of all budgetary allocations and disbursements made to the Kajola Dam over the past two decades.

Some lawmakers pointed out that the Kajola Dam holds national importance beyond Osun State, given its potential contribution to food security, renewable energy, and water supply. They argued that the dam, if revived, could ease the pressure on urban water systems and boost agricultural self-reliance in the Southwest region.

Meanwhile, residents and community leaders in Kajola and Ile-Ife have repeatedly appealed to both state and federal authorities to revisit the project. Local farmers complain that the absence of the dam has denied them irrigation for all-year farming, while women travel long distances daily to fetch clean water. Youths who once hoped for employment opportunities from the dam’s construction have since migrated to cities in search of work.

Experts in water resource management maintain that completing the Kajola Dam could have far-reaching socio-economic benefits for Osun State and the entire region. They stress that dams, when properly managed, are vital for rural development, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability — all aligning with Nigeria’s commitments to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The House’s decision to reopen the matter is therefore seen as a significant step toward accountability and development. Many observers hope the probe will go beyond rhetoric to concrete action that will revive the dam and bring long-awaited relief to the people of Ile-Ife.

As one lawmaker put it during the plenary:

“Nigeria cannot continue to be a graveyard of abandoned projects. The Kajola Dam must not die a silent death. It must be completed — for the people, and for the integrity of governance.

”Production: Newsworld Media

By: Henry Olamilekan Ojo