By Abbas Nazil
Institutional stakeholders have intensified discussions on the sustainable future of the Gongola Catchment as part of ongoing engagements for the development of strategic catchment management plans in Gombe State.
The dialogue comes after earlier sessions on the Gaji-Lamurde and Hawul-Kilanga catchments, highlighting the broader effort to secure the long-term health of water and land resources across the region.
The Gongola Catchment, which cuts across five states—Yobe, Gombe, Borno, Bauchi, and Plateau—serves as a critical resource base for millions of people.
It spans 34 Local Government Areas, falling mainly within Hydrological Area III, with extensions into the Upper and Lower Benue basins of Hydrological Area IV.
This vast catchment underpins agriculture, water supply, biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods.
It is predominantly covered by Sudan and Northern Guinea Savanna, with montane and gallery forests scattered across the Jos Plateau, while dry savanna dominates the northern end.
Rainfall in the Gongola Catchment ranges between 800 and 1200 millimeters annually, marked by seasonal variability.
Its water resources include the Gongola River and numerous tributaries, as well as lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs such as Dadin Kowa and Gubi Dams.
These resources support irrigation schemes, hydropower generation, fisheries, aquaculture, domestic water supply, and livestock rearing.
Beyond water, the Gongola Catchment is endowed with a wealth of mineral deposits such as coal, limestone, marble, tin, gypsum, kaolin, iron ore, quartz, feldspar, lead/zinc, tantalite, and clay.
It also harbors timber and non-timber forest products including Shea trees, baobab, tamarind, mahogany, locust bean, and firewood, all of which provide food, income, and raw materials for local communities.
Agriculture thrives in the area, with staple crops such as sorghum, millet, maize, rice, yam, cassava, and potatoes grown extensively.
Cash crops like groundnut, sesame, cotton, sugarcane, and ginger further boost local economies.
Livestock keeping—especially cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry—remains widespread, while floodplains and Fadama areas sustain vegetable, rice, wheat, and maize cultivation through irrigation.
Despite these vast opportunities, the Gongola Catchment faces mounting threats.
Deforestation, erosion, flooding, climate change, poor governance, and competition over resources present serious challenges to its long-term sustainability.
The rising frequency of conflicts over land, water, and grazing points to the urgent need for coordinated intervention.
Stakeholders believe that unlocking the full potential of the Gongola Catchment requires a shared vision anchored on sustainable resource management, inclusive planning, and strong community participation.
With integrated policies and well-aligned investments, the catchment could ensure food security, climate resilience, conflict reduction, and improved livelihoods for millions across its five states.
The discussions in Gombe signal an important step toward building a strategic alignment that balances economic growth with environmental protection, ensuring that the Gongola Catchment remains a lifeline for generations to come.