The Federal Government on Wednesday debunked insinuations that the Dadin Kowa dam is in bad shape and on the verge of collapse.
Recall that Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission Abubakar Sadiq, had in Niger State raised the alarm.
Debunking media reports that the dam has been overwhelmed and as a result sacked host communities, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engineer Joseph Utsev, said the report is unfounded.
Utsev who led the delegation on the spot assessment declared that so far there was no cause for alarm, adding that the dam is currently serving the tripod purpose of electricity generation, irrigation and supply of water to the people of Gombe State.
He said, “He said, “Our attention has been drawn to a publication regarding the Dadin Kowa dam here in Gombe State that the dam is on the verge of collapsing due to flooding.
“We are here today to assess the status of this dam and give report to Nigerians. We are here at Dadin Kowa to assess the true status of the dam.
“As you can see behind me, those that came here thought it’s flooding but it’s not flooding. It’s as a result of natural phenomenal that’s how water that comes from spill way flows.”
While urging the public to ignore false claims, the Minister added, “We want to tell Nigerians that the reservoir is functioning normally, the spill way and the mechanical components are in normal state. There is no cause for alarm.”
Also speaking, Minister of State Water Resources and Sanitation Barrister Bello Goronyo, warned no professionals to desist from commenting on areas that require experts inputs.
He said, “I just want to emphasise that people who are not knowledgeable in this area, people who don’t understand how the hydrology of a given dam is working should desist from speaking to media on issues bordering on water.”
Also, Project Manager Mabon Limited, company responsible for the generation of electricity, Jayaharan Jasmine-Paul, told journalists that the dam is functioning optimally.
He disclosed that the dam still contributes estimated 40 megawatts of power, “the dam and power plant is safe.This is rainy season we had to discharge the water into the spill way. Everything is safe. We are generating 40 megawatts and injecting it into the national grid,” he added.
