Joseph Inokotong, Author at Tribune Online

Coastal communities along the Taraba, Adamawa, Benue, and other river basins in Nigeria are set to breathe a sigh of relief as the Federal Government takes decisive steps to accelerate the construction of the Dasin Hausa Dam. This long-overdue project will serve as a buffer against the devastating floods caused by excess water released from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. The Dasin Hausa Dam, which was originally planned in the 1980s to complement Cameroon's Lagdo Dam, has remained stalled for over 40 years. However, under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, efforts are now underway to fast-track its construction through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). To push this forward, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) convened a critical meeting with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Water Resources and Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited. The session was presided over by ICRC Director-General, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh. Dr. Ewalefoh outlined the key objectives of the meeting: to assess progress since the MOU signing, review commitments by both parties, address regulatory concerns, and receive updates on the project’s implementation timeline and challenges. He emphasized that President Tinubu has charged his administration with finding innovative ways to attract private-sector funding for critical infrastructure projects. This meeting, he said, was a major step toward ensuring the dam’s swift and successful execution. He stated that Nigeria and Cameroon originally agreed to build two complementary dams—one in Cameroon to release water (Lagdo Dam) and another in Nigeria to control flooding (Dasin Hausa Dam). Due to decades of delays, Nigeria has suffered repeated flooding disasters, leading to loss of lives, destruction of farmlands, and billions of naira in damages. However, with President Tinubu’s strong support for infrastructure development and PPPs, Dr. Ewalefoh expressed confidence that all processes leading to the dam’s construction would now be expedited. He expressed optimism that with the unwavering support of H.E President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to infrastructure development. “When completed, the Multi-purpose Dasin Hausa dam will mitigate the flooding caused by the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, will generate over 300 megawatts of electricity and provide a source for irrigation farming for Adamawa, Taraba, and Benue states, covering over 150,000 hectares of farmlands. “The completion of Dasin Hausa Dam is not just about stopping floods—it’s about securing our future! Every year, we watch helplessly as floodwaters from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam destroy homes, farmlands, and livelihoods. With this dam, we can finally control the floods, protect communities, and save billions of naira in damages. But that’s not all—this project will generate over 300MW of electricity, boost industries, and create thousands of jobs!" “Imagine the transformation—year-round irrigation for farmers, abundant food production, stable water supply, and improved inland waterways. This dam is the key to unlocking economic prosperity for Taraba and the entire country. We've delayed long enough, and the cost of inaction has been devastating. It’s time to build the Dasin Hausa Dam and change Nigeria’s story forever,” he said. A pre-feasibility study has been completed, and stakeholders have requested an extended study to address areas that were not initially covered. During the meeting, Engr. Zacheus Akinjogbin, Head of the PPP Unit at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, assured stakeholders that the Ministry is committed to taking concrete steps to ensure the project's completion. Engr. Lamu Audu, Managing Director of Mainstream Energy Solutions, also reaffirmed the company's commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government and mobilizing private-sector funds and expertise to complete the project. Audu mentioned that several international financiers, donor agencies, and the World Bank have already shown strong interest in supporting the dam's completion. The meeting concluded with stakeholders agreeing to establish clear timelines for resolving outstanding issues, ensuring that the project progresses swiftly within the Ministry of Water Resources. Ifeanyi Nwoko, Acting Head of Media and Publicity, stated that with this renewed momentum, Nigeria is finally on the path to ending the devastation caused by floods and unlocking the substantial economic potential that the Dasin Hausa Dam promises. READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE