By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Deputy Governor of Gombe State, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, has expressed optimism that the revival of the Balanga Dam will significantly boost agricultural activities and improve the livelihoods of communities in the area.
Jatau spoke with journalists in Abuja after representing Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya at the meeting of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project Steering Committee.
In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity in the Deputy Governor’s Office, Mr. Jack A. Tasha, and made available to journalists in Gombe on Tuesday, the Deputy Governor said the area surrounding the dam is expected to experience renewed economic activities once the SPIN project is fully implemented.
According to him, the initiative will help reduce poverty and stimulate economic development in the host communities.
“This area will come back to life, although different crops may now be cultivated. However, this development will help reduce the poverty currently experienced by the people living there,” he said.
Jatau noted that although the Balanga Dam was constructed between 1979 and 1984, it has not delivered the expected benefits to the surrounding communities since its completion.
“The dam was constructed between 1979 and 1984, but unfortunately it has not benefited the surrounding community in any meaningful way. We are hopeful that with the SPIN programme, the expected benefits will finally be realised,” he said.
He explained that the project is expected to stimulate agricultural production, create employment opportunities and encourage greater participation of local residents in farming and other related economic activities.
“We anticipate increased agricultural production from the area, greater participation of our people in farming and related economic activities, and improved livelihoods for the communities around the dam. All these will contribute to raising the standard of living of the people,” Jatau added.
The Deputy Governor said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of improving the welfare of Nigerians.
“That is essentially what SPIN seeks to achieve. Even Mr. President has emphasised the need to improve the standard of living of Nigerians, and this initiative aligns with that vision,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Gombe State Government to collaborate with the Federal Government and development partners to ensure that the state maximises the opportunities presented by the programme.
According to him, the state government is ready to provide the necessary institutional support and technical collaboration to ensure that dams and irrigation facilities across the state are effectively utilised to boost agricultural productivity and rural economic development.
Jatau further explained that the partnership would enable the state to harness irrigation infrastructure such as the Balanga Dam for year-round farming, agro-processing and other productive activities capable of generating income and improving food security.
Meanwhile, key stakeholders at the meeting, including the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the successful implementation of the SPIN project.
Development partners, including specialists from the World Bank, also pledged continued technical and financial support to help Nigeria strengthen dam safety, modernise irrigation systems and integrate sustainable power solutions for agricultural development.
The SPIN project, supported by the World Bank, is designed to promote year-round agriculture, stimulate rural economies and enhance national food security through improved irrigation infrastructure and sustainable power integration.
Stakeholders believe that with renewed collaboration between the Federal Government, participating states and development partners, long-underutilised water infrastructure such as the Balanga Dam will finally deliver the economic and social benefits originally intended for host communities.
