By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has allayed fears of flooding around Goronyo dam site in Sokoto State this year.
NatureNews could recall that for decades, the three-component dam overflows at the end of every rainy season, breaking sections of embankment and causing a massive flood that washes away farmlands and displaces tens of communities between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
This year, however, a federal government Inter-Ministerial Technical Team on Dams Evaluation, on inspection of the dam site at Keta, Goronyo LGA, confirmed the structural stability of the Goronyo Dam, assuring residents of the surrounding communities that there is no imminent risk of flooding.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Utsev, represented by Deputy Director of Dams and Reservoirs, Mrs. Oluwatosin Abiola, who led the team, said the inspection was part of the government’s heightened focus on dam safety across the country.
“Following a thorough evaluation, we are assured that the Goronyo Dam remains stable and safe, with no cause for alarm,” Abiola said, adding that safety protocols and protective measures, including the dam’s gates and sand barriers, are fully functional.
She emphasized that the dam’s structural integrity will continue to be a top priority, with all necessary precautions in place to prevent any flood hazards.
Goronyo Dam, a key infrastructure in the region, spans approximately 12.5 kilometers with a holding capacity of around 942 million cubic meters, serving multiple purposes including irrigation and water supply.
The committee’s inspection covered all critical components of the dam, from gates to structural reinforcements, verifying that everything was up to required standards.
The comprised representatives from the Ministries of Environment, Works, Housing, Budget and National Planning, Information, and Finance