The House of Representatives has agreed to investigate the long-abandoned Kajola Multipurpose Dam project in Ile-Ife, Osun State, which has remained incomplete for over 20 years despite huge public funds committed to it. The dam, now valued at N22.58 billion, was first awarded in 2004 but never completed.

The motion, sponsored by Hon. Abimbola Ajilesoro, called for urgent action to save the project. While presenting the motion during Tuesday’s plenary, he explained that the contract was originally given to Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) for N2.24 billion with a two-year deadline. However, the contractor only moved to site in 2008 and was able to finish just about 40% of the work due to poor funding.

Ajilesoro noted that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources later reviewed the project cost to N10.87 billion in 2011 and extended the completion date to 2021. In 2022, the budget was revised again to N22.58 billion, yet the dam still remains abandoned with no progress made. He expressed concern that the lack of completion has denied surrounding communities in Osun and parts of Ondo State access to water supply and economic development.

According to the lawmaker, finishing the Kajola Dam would benefit millions of residents by providing water for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, fish farming, and job creation. He stressed that leaving such a major infrastructure to decay wastes public resources and delays development in the region.

Following the debate, the House directed its Committee on Water Resources to fully investigate the dam project. The committee is tasked to find out how much money has been released since 2004, evaluate the current status of the site, and ensure that those responsible for the delay are held accountable.