Ministry commits N6bn to dam embankment

Ministry of Water Resources has earmarked the sum of N6.4 billion for the construction of embankment and water outlet for about 15 dams across the country this year.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency in its 2016 seasonal rainfall prediction had warned that most part of the country especially the northernmost parts will experience water stress and that farmers would witness crop failures unless the dams located across the country are rehabilitated to assist in irrigation farming.
Already farmers in the north are clamouring for the completion, repairs or rehabilitation of abandoned dams in the North.
The ministry in its attempt to address the water stress is planning to spend over N1.4 billion on drilling boreholes across the country inspite of experts’ warning that borehole drilling was affecting the nation’s underground waters structure.
According to the ministry’s budget, Kashmibila Dam which was constructed at the cost of $1 billion and is yet to be commissioned would need another N1.5 billion for the construction of an embankment.
Jare Dam also got N1.2 billion allocated to it for embankment, others include: Ogbesse Earth Dam was allocated N800 million for embankment, Ile Ife Dambere Dam N1 billion for embankment, Galma Dam has N500 million for embankment, Amauzari Earth Dam N500 million for embankment, Ekuku Dam N75 million for embankment while Gadua Lafia Zigau Earth Dam and the Monikin Earth Dam were allocated N121.2 million and N400 million respectively for embankment.
The ministry is also expected to construct 200 solar motorised boreholes nationwide for Internally Displaced Persons at the cost of N1.2 billion.
The ministry, according to the budget, will be constructing, drilling or rehabilitating boreholes at various locations including Takum, Obollo, Aba, Okirika, Usman Dan Fodio University at the cost of N215 million.
A hydrologist, Dr John Adekoya said the budget of the ministry lacked what it takes to deliver  access to quality water for the citizens.
“An embankment is one of the central structures of the dam, so for the ministry to come so many years after a dam has been completed to budget for an embankment is fraudulent,” he said.
“Take a look at the budget and you will find that all through it is embankment for one dam or the other costing billions of naira, so my question for the ministry is do you complete a dam before budgeting for the embankment?” he said.