By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
Farmers and cattle breeders in Gobirawa, Ruhogi, Barkonu, Cikaji, Likoro, Unguwar Yamman Likoro and Girkawa Community behind Kangimi Dam located in Igabi Local Government of Kaduna State have expressed fear and danger imposed by the breaking of the Dam due to various cracking.
In a statement signed by the Head of the Association of Fishermen along Kaduna River, Mallam Usman Jikan Mudi and made available to newsmen in Kaduna Tuesday lamented that the said dam has developed cracking problems since 2017 due to heavy rainfall when a thunder strike hit the wall of the Dam, adding that the cracks are really scaring.
According to Mallam Usman, thousands of people are residing with their family in those villages, saying they are really afraid of what will happen to them when the Dam breaks which is why they are worried about the situation on ground.
He mention that the Association have written series of letters to water board to come and see for themselves on the condition but it seems that they do not care about the lives of the people that are residing behind the dam.
“There is too much water in the dam and there is the need for water board to reduce it now, but we are afraid of what will happen if Government failed to do something quickly on time. We are begging Kaduna state government to come to our rescued.
“If you look at the place where the thunder strike, you will see that, there is water coming out of the crack wall of the Dam and you can also as well see some grasses growing-up from the crack wall. Once it is not tackled we are scared of what will follow which is what we are trying to avert.
“Kangimi Dam is the largest dam in Kaduna state that has many links to most of the River in the state and is the source of water for Kaduna state water board” he stressed.
Mallam Usman then appealed to the Human Right Organization, Civil Right and non-Governmental organization among others in charge of looking at the affairs of protecting Dams in Nigeria and any part of the world to come to Kamgimi Dam and see the situation themselves.
However, the Maianguwa of Gobirawa, Alhaji Umaru Gobirawa make mention that their lives is in danger and called on Kaduna state government to come to their aid.
“We are living in a critical situation that is why we are calling on all Humanitarian organization which include Nema, Sema, Red Cross among others to advice the state government to take quick action before it’s too late.
“Since the announcement of the Dam crack last year October when thunder strike at the barricade of the Dam water passage, most family find it extremely difficult to sleep with their eyes close because of fear, and what is going to happen to them when its breaks.
“We call on Kaduna state government to send Dam Expert to come and see so that they can advise state government on what to do” he said.
Responding on behalf of Kaduna State Government, the Councilor on Information and Communication Strategy to Governor El-Rufai, Alhaji Saidu Adamu said the state government is going to look into the situation and would do its best in looking at how to tackles the situation.
He promised to take the matter to Governor Nasir El-Rufai to find a solution to these problems while calling on the peoples to stay calm and continued their normal business
