Reps to probe abandoned N22.5bn Kajola Dam project in Osun
The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandoned construction of a multi-purpose dam project valued at N22.58 billion in Kajola Village, Ile-Ife, Osun State, more than two decades after the contract was first awarded.
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Abimbola Ajilesoro, titled “Need to Complete the Construction of Multi-Purpose Dam Project in Kajola Village, Ile-Ife, Osun State.”
Leading the debate during Tuesday’s plenary, Ajilesoro said the contract for the dam was initially awarded to Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, Nigeria Limited on December 21, 2004, at a cost of N2.24 billion, with a completion timeline of 24 months.
He recalled that although the contractor eventually mobilized to site in 2008, work progressed slowly and reached only 40 percent completion before being abandoned due to inadequate funding.
Ajilesoro noted that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, later reviewed the project’s cost to N10.87 billion on December 13, 2011, with an extended completion period between January 2020 and December 2021.
He also disclosed that another cost revision was made on December 15, 2022, raising the total project estimate to N22.58 billion, yet the dam remains incomplete and abandoned.
Expressing concern over the delay, Ajilesoro warned that the continued neglect of the project had deprived residents of 11 local government areas in Osun and neighbouring Ondo State of access to essential bulk water supply.
According to him, completing the Kajola Multi-Purpose Dam would bring immense socio-economic benefits, including hydropower generation, irrigation, flood control, fishery development, and the creation of employment opportunities for local residents.
Following deliberations, the House mandated its Committee on Water Resources to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the project to determine the total amount released to the contractor since 2004, assess the current status, and ensure accountability in the utilization of public funds.