BY NGOZI A. NWANKWO
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and resilience of Nigeria’s dams.
Describing dams as strategic national infrastructure, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, said the government remains focused on strengthening dam infrastructure to support irrigation, potable water supply, hydropower, and flood control.
Pheelangwah made this known at the opening of a two-day workshop on dam safety in Abuja, as part of stakeholder engagement under the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, supported by the World Bank.
Represented by Mr. Moses Jo-Madugu, Director, Reforms Coordination, Pheelangwah said:
“Dams are critical national assets, but they also pose significant risks if not properly managed. Ensuring their safety is vital for protecting lives, livelihoods, and property—and central to achieving the objectives of the SPIN Project.”
He added that the ministry is working with partners to adopt best practices, including early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and climate adaptation strategies.
The workshop, he said, offers a platform for knowledge sharing, technical learning, and collaboration among key actors in dam operations.
Dr. Martins Eduvie, Acting Director-General, National Water Resources Institute (NWRI), Kaduna, called for stronger institutional mechanisms to safeguard Nigeria’s more than 420 registered dams.
He cited the Mokwa flooding as an example of poor infrastructure oversight, blaming blocked rail drainage channels for unplanned water impoundment that led to widespread destruction.
He described the Department of Dams as a regulatory watchdog, saying:
“With more than 420 dams, the Department of Dams should serve as the EFCC of dam safety. All dams must be registered, routinely inspected, and certified with valid safety permits.”
Eduvie praised ongoing efforts to adopt safety standards approved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and called for improved national planning around dam safety.
Earlier, Mr. Ali Dallah, Director of Dams and Reservoir Operations, warned that the safety of dams must not be taken lightly, given their role in agriculture, electricity, water access, and flood mitigation.
He stressed that many dams are ageing, facing risks from climate change, catchment degradation, and unregulated development.
The ministry, he said, is finalising a National Dam Safety Management Framework and reviewing technical guidelines aligned with global standards, including those of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD).
In his lead paper, Mr. Alabi Daisi advocated for the integration of host communities into dam safety systems and training residents to report signs of infrastructure stress.
He also pushed for stricter regulation enforcement, warning that unapproved dam and irrigation system construction still occurs in some areas.
“We must address the root causes of dam failures. Interventions will remain superficial unless the core issues are tackled,” Daisi warned.
The workshop included technical sessions on inspection protocols, safety assessments, emergency planning, and the use of digital tools for dam monitoring.