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Namadi Sambo, the
Vice President, has directed the Ministry of Water Resources to “as a
matter of urgency” assemble all the Dam Managers of Goronyo, Hadejia
Jama’are, as well as all dams across the country for an emergency
meeting.

The Vice President
expressed regret over the flood incident at the Goronyo Dam, requesting
that a survey be carried out to note those villages that are in
dangerous locations which could be affected by such floods, so as to
address and arrest future occurrences of such incidents.

He made this
disclosure during a joint meeting between the Ministries of Power and
Water Resources aimed at properly briefing him on the steps so far
taken in the realization of the Gurara Phase II project.

He noted the effort
to accelerate progress in the development of Gurara Phase II
Multipurpose Dam and in particular as part of efforts to boost
Hydro-Power generation.

Mr Sambo, who set
up a committee on harmonization on the Power and Water and irrigation
projects at the Gurara Phase II a fortnight ago, observed that there is
the need for harmony in the execution of the project.

He noted that Water
Resources will undertake the funding of the project, while the two
committees will work in harmony by taking a leap in analysing the whole
project. He observed the need to bring on board Coney et Bellier, whom
he believes have undertaken the necessary studies to fast-track the
project and keep to the recommended time as proposed by the committee.

Joint report

Earlier, the
Ministers of Power and Water Resources had presented a joint report on
the progress of the activities on the Gurara Phase II implementation.
The Committee they said adopted a work plan as its guide for the
implementation of the project.

The work plan was
slated as: August–September commencement of public procurement;
September–November 2010 completion of studies; December 2010–January
2011 final design and preparation of Tender Documents and
January–February 2011 completion of procurement process and
commencement and award of contract.

Similarly the
committee developed a term of reference for the various consultancy
services/duties to be carried out which include: Geotechnical Studies,
Environmental impact Assessment, Hydro Power design, Hydrological
studies, Topographic survey, ariel mapping, Irrigation Service Studies,
appointment of prime consultant and project support monitoring and
evaluation.

In attendance at the meeting were the Ministers of Power and Water
Resources, Permanent Secretary Water Resources and top ministry
officials.