Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Professor Joseph Utsev has denied reports alluding that the Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam in Gombe State collapsed following an increase in the volume of its water after a heavy downpour.
The dam is situated in the Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, approximately 37 kilometers from the capital city. It was in 1984 and serves multiple purposes, including irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply for the region.
Utsev in a statement by his Personal Assistant on media and publicity Terlumun Oraduen said the information being peddled on the condition of the dam was nothing but a false alarm.
According to the statement, Professor Utsev addressed journalists at the dam site in Gombe in an interventionist move where he dismissed the report and assured that based on the assessment of the components at the dam and what he has seen on the ground, it was in good condition to serve the intended purposes of irrigation, power generation, and flood control with no threat of any collapse even in future.
Professor Utsev explained that all the channels including the spillway and penstock for hydropower were fully opened to regulate the water in the reservoir and generate electricity.
The Minister advised the people to always verify their sources of information and ensure accuracy before going to the press in order not to mislead the public and cause panic.
He said his ministry was carrying out daily monitoring and regular inspection of the dam to ensure its safety and regulate the water levels in the reservoir.
Professor Utsev announced that the Federal Government was working towards implementing the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria SPIN project across the country which encompasses irrigation, dam safety, and power
He said that the Ministry was also taking necessary measures to guarantee the safety of water infrastructure in the country and undertaking new projects to ensure food security, water supply, sanitation flood control employment generation, and climate change adaptation among others.
The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation Bello Goronyo who accompanied him, noted that the ministry will continue to protect and safeguard its critical national assets to serve the purpose they were meant for and assured Nigerians of the commitment of government to provide adequate water for irrigation farming and hydropower generation.
The Business Development Manager of Mabon Limited Mr. Jayaharan Paul said the dam has been supplying hydropower to the national grid and increased power supply within Gombe, Borno, and Yobe axis.
Area manager Dadin Kowa Multipurpose Dam Bello Mohammed Bello explained that the dam was at present supplying water to over two thousand hectares of land for irrigation farming in Gombe which has scaled up irrigation farming within its catchment area the assuring host community where the dam is situated of their safety.
