By: Gloria Abutu
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians of the structural integrity of the Kiri Dam, confirming that the dam poses no immediate risk of flooding.
Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Ali Ibrahim Dalla, gave this assurance during an inspection of the dam, situated in Shelleng local government area of Adamawa State.
The visit is part of a nationwide assessment to evaluate the condition of dams across the country.
Speaking during the visit, Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engineer Ali Ibrahim Dalla confirmed that Kiri Dam is in good condition, and allayed fears of potential flooding.
The inspection comes amid increasing concerns about the vulnerability of aging dams across the country, many of which are facing growing risks due to the impacts of climate change.
Engr. Dalla attributed the recent excess flooding, particularly the incident at Alau Dam in Borno State, partly to climate change, which he said has heightened risks for water infrastructure nationwide.
“Because we consider Dams as living things, the essence of this visit is to see the physical condition of this dam in order for us to ascertain its health, and to avert recurrence of similar flood that happened in Alau Dam in Borno State,” the Director noted.
Despite these challenges, he expressed confidence in the resilience of the Kiri Dam.
“I can vouch for the integrity of this dam from the physical inspection that we have carried out, the dam is in good shape and there is no cause for worry,” said the Engineer.
He highlighted the importance of regular evaluations to identify and address any structural issues that could lead to future flooding.
In addition to assessing the current state of the dam, Engr. Dalla revealed the possibility of generating electricity from Kiri Dam.
According to him, studies are underway to explore hydropower potential from the facility, adding that further steps will be taken once these studies are complete.
“From recent studies, we have found out that the dam is capable of generating electricity. By the time the study is completed, further information will be revealed about the capacity of the power to be generated,” Dalla said.
The visit to Kiri Dam is part of the federal government’s initiative to ensure the safety and functionality of dams across the country, with a focus on improving water management and mitigating the effects of climate change.