N104 bn Kashimbilla Dam, Nigeria’s buffer aganist Lake Nyos

Ochekpe said this during her  inspection of the progress of work done at the dam.She said that the Federal Government has committed over N104 billion to the project essentially intended to contain excess water that could flow from Lake Nyos in the event of a possible breakage.Known locally as “the Bad Lake,” Lake Nyos, is […]

Ochekpe said this during her  inspection of the progress of work done at the dam.She said that the Federal Government has committed over N104 billion to the project essentially intended to contain excess water that could flow from Lake Nyos in the event of a possible breakage.
Known locally as “the Bad Lake,” Lake Nyos, is located in the North-west Region of Cameroun and was formed in a volcanic crater created as recently as 400 years ago.
In 1986 there was an eruption there that   triggered the release of about 1.6 million tonnes of CO2. Around a cubic kilometre of gas flowed from the mountain down into the two populated valleys below. The gas displaced all the air, suffocating 1,800 people and 3500 livestock. Of the 4,000 inhabitants who fled the valleys, many developed respiratory problems, burns and even paralysis from the gas.
The cause of the disaster is still debated among geologists. Most geologists suspect a landslide while some believe that there was a small volcanic eruption at the base of the lake. Others still believe that cool rainwater that fell on one side of the lake triggered the overrun of the water.
Recently, scientists issued a warning urging Nigerians living in Gongola turf and Benue valley to vacate the area as the Lake was going to collapse.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned that over a million Nigerians are likely to die if the lake should collapse.
The agency has already developed a manual adopted by all stakeholders to put in place measures to mitigate flood waters from the lake from affecting the people of Benue State.
Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammed Sidi, said Lake Nyos was close to Nigeria and that a 2005 UNDP report had predicted that the dam was at “a point of potential collapse’’.
He said the report predicted that the collapse might be caused by gradual erosion from rain, wind and lake waters, or as a result of violent volcanic eruption, ading that the eventual failure of the dam would result in the discharge of about 55 million cubic metres of water which would result in serious flooding in over five states in Nigeria.
According to NEMA, it is estimated that between Cameroun border and River Benue, 50 settlements, including Katsina-Ala, Kashimbilla, Waya, Manga, Gamovo, Andie, Terwegh and over 15,000 hectares of land will be flooded. Also, it is expected that over one million people and 20,000 heads of cattle and other livestock will be affected and, maybe, perish.
Ochekpe said that government was doing everything possible to safeguard the lives of Nigerians hence, the decision to construct the dam in 2007.
According to the minister, the construction  of the dam was in response to the need to arrest any likely environmental challenge that may arise from any breakage from Lake Nyos.  
Kashimbilla multi-purpose buffer dam is located between the towns of kashambilla and Gamovo on River Katsina-Ala in Takum Local Government Area of Taraba State which was initially contracted for 42.9billion and later reviewed due to project scope and other additional structures.  
The project was divided into phases including the construction of multi-purpose dam which is to serve as a control measure to contain overflow of water, construction of water treatment plant, access road, hydro-power plant, air strip, irrigation network, staff housing units and pipeline for water conveyance to Takum town and environs.
The Supervising Minister of Environment Arch. Darius Ishaku while commending the work done, said the project has attained 76 percent completion and that 99.6 percent of the payment had also been made to the contractors.