By Joseph Edegbo
The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the proposed Itsi Multipurpose Dam in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State , Northwest Nigeria, has commenced.
The exercise which is a requirement for any development project, is being carried out by a Consultancy firm, Environmental Assessment and Evaluation Company Ltd. and in compliance with the Environmental Impact Act. of 2004 as amended, and the World Bank.
The project which was conceived by the Kaduna State Government in 2008, was later taken over by the Federal Government with the involvement of the World Bank .
The Dam is expected to cover about 35,000 hectares of irrigation farm land and also generate 40 megawatts of hydro power.
Located on the Kaduna River, 50 kilometers East of the State capital, the 71 kilometer reservoir dam will supply 300 million litres of potable water per day to the City and environs, when operational.
Speaking at a scoping Workshop held in Kaduna to update stakeholders with the findings from the assessment tour, the Executive Consultant of the company, Dr Uchenna Amadi said the aim of the exercise which continues, is to carefully find out, if the project would have any negative impact on the socio-economic wellbeing of the communities.
Dr. Amadi who gave a vivid profile of the consulting firm on similar projects carried out, both within and a outside Nigeria, enumerated the positive impacts of Itsi Dam project when executed.
These include, employment creation, restitution of land use and Rights, increase in economic activities, improved road infrastructure, capacity building, gender issues as well as health and safety.
Participants at the Workshop who were drawn from relevant ministries, departments and agencies, CSOs, Kachia and Kajuru LGA communities as well as Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Environment, brainstormed on identified key issues, concerns and expectations.