House of Reps to Probe Abandoned N22.5bn Kajola Dam Project in Osun

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the long-abandoned Kajola Multi-Purpose Dam project in Ile-Ife, Osun State, valued at N22.58 billion, more than two decades after the contract was first awarded.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion by Hon. Abimbola Ajilesoro, titled: “Need to Complete the Construction of Multi-Purpose Dam Project in Kajola Village, Ile-Ife, Osun State.”

During Tuesday’s plenary, Ajilesoro said the contract was initially awarded to Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) Nigeria Limited on December 21, 2004, at a cost of N2.24 billion, with an expected completion period of 24 months.

He recalled that while the contractor eventually mobilized to the site in 2008, work progressed slowly, reaching only 40 percent completion before being abandoned due to inadequate funding.

Ajilesoro added 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 a revised completion period between January 2020 and December 2021. Another cost revision on December 15, 2022, raised the project estimate to N22.58 billion, yet the dam remains incomplete.

Expressing concern over the delay, Ajilesoro noted that the continued neglect of the project has denied residents of 11 local government areas in Osun and neighbouring Ondo State access to essential bulk water supply.

He further emphasized that completing the Kajola Dam would bring significant socio-economic benefits, including hydropower generation, irrigation, flood control, fishery development, and employment opportunities for local communities.

Following deliberations, the House directed its Committee on Water Resources to conduct a thorough investigation into the project, including a review of all funds released since 2004, the current status of the dam, and ensuring accountability in the use of public resources.