Constructions threaten Abuja water dam

There are growing fears among water experts and some government agencies responsible for physical planning, infrastructure and environmental management that unchecked development activities around the Usuma Dam in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could jeopardise one of the city’s most critical water sources. Abuja Metro reports that Usuma Dam supplies most of the water used […]

There are growing fears among water experts and some government agencies responsible for physical planning, infrastructure and environmental management that unchecked development activities around the Usuma Dam in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could jeopardise one of the city’s most critical water sources.

Abuja Metro reports that Usuma Dam supplies most of the water used at the nation’s capital city and other satellite towns.

Stakeholders fear possible contamination of water body

Now, stakeholders in the FCT Administration are worried that unchecked activities of some developers could endanger the dam by contaminating the water body.

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Worried by the development, the FCT Administration says it is taking a second look at the master plan for Usuma District following concerns of possible contamination of the Usuma Dam water supply.

The decision followed a joint site visit led by the FCTA Department of Development Control alongside other agencies responsible for physical planning, infrastructure, and environmental management in the territory.

The visit was prompted by fears that unchecked development activities around the dam could jeopardise one of the city’s most critical water sources.

The director of the Department of Development Control, Tpl. Mukhtar Galadima, who led the team on the inspection, stressed the gravity of the situation and called for a collective review of the existing layout to avert long-term consequences.

“There were concerns raised by different stakeholders as regards to the developments in the proximity of Usman Dam. That’s why the Department of Development Control thought it fit to invite relevant stakeholders to visit the site and see on the spot what is really happening,” the director explained.

He warned that development pressure on the area is imminent, stressing, “You are thinking maybe it’s 50 years. No, by the next two years, we’ll see development behind the dam. So, we have to put measures in place to safeguard and protect this particular feature.”

Galadima, therefore, urged the agencies to assess the layout’s continued relevance and agree on sustainable measures. “Is the layout relevant? Is the layout adequate? If we feel there is a threat to the existence of this water body, we can write, so that posterity will judge us that we acted at a point in time.

“If we feel we can develop this district, but with certain measures, let all of us come up with those measures to guide its development,” he added.

To guide future approvals, he called for contributions from relevant departments. “Urban and Regional Planning (URP) should give us an up-to-date layout of the district. The water board should also, in collaboration with URP, come up with a reasonable distance away from the dam. The water board should give us their policy on dams and water bodies in the FCT, so we can use it in guiding or granting approvals,” Galadima further stated.

 FCTA to reassess Usuma district master plan

On the status of Usuma District, the Director of the FCT Development Control affirmed that it was open for development, but only within the framework of the approved master plan, adding that the administration may initiate a full layout review if necessary.

Also, the Assistant Director of Engineering Services at the FCDA, Engr. Mohammed Danimoh, provided technical insight into the longstanding concerns over the area’s topography and sustainability.

Danimoh noted that the entire terrain slopes towards the Usuma Dam, creating major risks for both surface runoff and wastewater management. “We can see that everything, the slope, the grid, everything is sloping downwards towards the dam.

“What the master plan policy says is: avoid sewage pumping at all costs. All sewage is supposed to be drained via gravity. But here, any development will require pumping, and that raises serious sustainability concerns.”

While engineering solutions exist, he questioned their viability. “Yes, engineering-wise, there is no problem without a solution. But at what cost? We could develop a sewage treatment plant. But can we sustain it? Going by even the history of the ones we have developed within the city proper. Those ones are temporary.”