Dams, water expansion project to boost water supply in Kaduna

It was observed during the tour to Galma Dam, a project of the federal government located in Kubau Local Government, that communities are already springing up as a result of the dam, availing themselves of the opportunities embarking on activities that include irrigation farming, fishing and general water supply. One of such communities is the Gillmor community.
Speaking with the project manager Mr. Itzik Zeevi, it was gathered that the dam has a capacity of 186 million cubic meters, a catchment capacity of 250 million cubic meters, with an embankment of 2.7km and a height of 28 meters.
Zeevi said that the second and third phase of the projects is irrigation and proposed hydro power. The hydro power is expected to generate 2.7 megawatts of electricity.
On her part, Engineer Binta Yakubu said the state government, through the Water Supply Expansion Project aims to boost water supply and economic activities in parts of the state.
According to her, Galma Dam is beneficial to the farmers in terms of irrigation and also for hydropower purposes, while the Shika Dam in Zaria will supply water to meet the needs of the communities there, adding that water vendors are already accessing and selling to the people. The dam site will also be for recreational activities like picnics and other occasions which can boost environmental, social and economic activities, she said. The local governments benefitting from Shika Dam include: Zaria, Sabon Gari, Soba, Giwa, Makarfi and Kudan.
Engr Yakubu said Shika Dam is responsible for supplying water to the 50 MLD and to the 10 MLD, but because of the population growth demand becomes high and water becomes scarce, and as part of intervention measures the federal government decided to construct the multi-purpose dam in Galma while Kaduna State on its own is constructing Shika Dam.
Water is often released from Galma Dam through underground pipes to Shika Dam.
The state government is not resting on its oars to ensure that the project is completed and the state Ministry of Water Resources has been deepening their commitment to the project.             
She said the cost of the Shika Dam project was initially N15 billion but was modified to N24 billion because of other units that were introduced, noting that construction has one thing which is that as you commence, one thing will lead to another and other necessities would emerge.
“Shika Dam is ready and the treatment plant is almost ready. But the dam relies on another phase because this is phase 1 and there is also phase 2. The treatment plant phase, which is phase 1, is solely sponsored by Kaduna State government. If you finish your treatment unit, you will have to transport your water to the town. Hence another phase we call the transmission lanes and the reservoirs, which when completed will enable water to be conveyed from the treatment plant to the reservoirs.
“To execute that, the government secured a loan of $83 million from the Islamic Development Bank. The loan is ready and we are in the processing, procuring consultants and awarding the contracts.
“Then the third phase is that of the distribution lines where the water will flow by gravity to the distribution means and to the end users. The government again has secured another loan of $101 million from the African Development Bank. That third phase is called Water Supply Expansion and Sanitation Project,” she said.
On the challenges faced, Engr. Yakubu said there has been several. “I am sure you are aware that sometime in 2012 some of the expatriates were abducted and some of them were even killed. That led to the closure of the site for some time, and it is responsible for the extension of the project. Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero is, however, constructing a police station by the project site and the junction to enhance the security of the place. Hopefully, in 2015 the project should be completed since the completion rate is already at 88 percent.”
On whether the contractors are being paid, she said, “If the contractors are not being paid they won’t be on the site working diligently and very committed as you can see.”