Peter Akpanke representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, has advocated for the urgent rehabilitation of the abandoned Obudu Dam resort in Cross River State
Presenting a motion to that effect on the floor of the House, Akpanke maintained that the dam, a versatile facility that not only supplies water to over 60,000 people in its vicinity but also offers recreational activities, has over the years been abandoned and left to rot.
He also informed the House that the resort was flooded in 2005, prompting the Cross River State Government to secure funding from the International Development Agency (IDA) for its rehabilitation. Its rehabilitation he emphasized, would bring multiple benefits to the people including facilitating irrigation for approximately 100 hectares of agricultural land, boosting fisheries, and promoting tourism in the northern part of the state.
The motion which was seconded by Umar Usman Ajilo, representing Makarfi/Kudan Federal Constituency, is coming on the heels of Akpanke’s recent assessment of the facility during a needs assessment tour of his federal constituency.
The House of Representatives responded by mandating it’s Committee on Water Resources (when constituted) to investigate why work at the dam was abandoned and report back to the house within four weeks for further legislative action.
