By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto
SOKOTO: The Member representing Goronyo/Gada Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bashir Usman Gorau, has called on the Federal Government to urgently commence the comprehensive desilting of Goronyo Dam and its tributaries, warning that the prolonged neglect of the facility has turned it into a recurring source of flooding, destruction and loss of innocent lives.
Gorau said the Goronyo Dam, constructed by the Federal Government more than five decades ago, has accumulated enormous quantities of silt and sediments over the years, drastically reducing its water holding capacity and undermining the original purpose for which the multi purpose dam was established.
According to him, “A dam that was designed decades ago cannot continue to function effectively when its reservoir and waterways are choked with sediments. The capacity of Goronyo Dam has been seriously compromised, and the consequences are being felt every year by communities living downstream and around the dam.”
He expressed deep concern over the recurring flooding and boat mishaps associated with the dam and its tributaries, stressing that the situation has continued to claim the lives of innocent citizens, destroy property, disrupt livelihoods and expose vulnerable communities to avoidable humanitarian crises.
The lawmaker described the continued accumulation of sediments in the dam as a clear and present danger that requires immediate federal intervention rather than periodic emergency responses after disasters have already occurred.
Gorau further warned that unless urgent and comprehensive desilting is undertaken, the dam’s ability to contain excess water will continue to deteriorate, thereby increasing the risk of devastating flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.
He therefore urged the Federal Government, through the relevant ministries, agencies and authorities responsible for water resources and dam management, to declare the desilting of Goronyo Dam and its tributaries an emergency intervention, and mobilize the necessary resources and technical expertise to commence the exercise without further delay.
He said the intervention should not be limited to the dam reservoir alone, but must also cover critical tributaries and waterways feeding the dam, stressing that a holistic approach is required to address the root causes of the recurring disasters.
The federal lawmaker appealed to the authorities to act decisively before another rainy season brings further tragedy, saying that the lives of citizens must not be sacrificed because of bureaucratic delays or prolonged neglect of critical infrastructure.
“We cannot continue to wait until people are killed, communities are submerged and property worth millions is destroyed before we take action. Goronyo Dam has served the nation for over five decades; it now requires urgent rehabilitation and desilting to restore its capacity and protect the people. The time to act is now, before another life is lost,” Gorau declared.