Sokoto: Exploring Shalla Lake’s deep, untapped potentials

In the past, visiting former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon was even hosted at the cottage, and the building, situated by the banks of Shalla Lake at Bankaru village, few kilometres from Kware town, is known for serenity and beauty, which the former leader enjoyed. Sokoto State governors in the past usually hosted visitors to […]

In the past, visiting former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon was even hosted at the cottage, and the building, situated by the banks of Shalla Lake at Bankaru village, few kilometres from Kware town, is known for serenity and beauty, which the former leader enjoyed.
 Sokoto State governors in the past usually hosted visitors to the old cottage and youths often throng the area during festive periods to celebrate. Even weddings are hosted there.
A local, Sani Saidu Bankanu, whose farm is a stone’s throw away from the now-abandoned cottage, said his parents told him how Europeans would cruise on the lake with speed boats and also engage in fishing. They, he explained, did not engage in any commercial activities but just picked the location for its serenity.
Bankanu, who is also a fisherman, recalled that after the Europeans, it took time before Gowon returned to the place, during each of his visits to Sokoto. “General Gowon even became very close to an aged man in the village (now deceased),” he said.
Now looking dilapidated and out of use, the cottage still stands but local lore is rife that it is inhabited by “spirits”. The last occupants are said to have been National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) staff as revealed by Lawali Sahabi Bankaru, the custodian of the building.
Bankaru, as he said, was employed by the Kware local government council to look after the cottage, and for over 10 years has been guarding the place. But this seems to be the only obvious thing done by the council in favour of the potential tourism spot. Several visits to the local government council to know plans to explore the potentials of the lake did not yield fruit as the chairman was said to be absent.
Like the Romo Lake in Tambuwal local government, Shalla can also provide enabling environment for a mini-fishing festival, including canoe regatta for boosting economy of the area through tourism.
  A 50-year-old fisherman, Mamman Dan Abdul of Kware said he has been fishing in the lake for over 30 years, and says there is an abundance of fish there. “The lake is our source of livelihood because from it we catch fish which sometime weigh 10kg and above and we realise N7,000 to N10,000 depending on the catch,” he said.
“At times we can realise N15,000 from a single catch, and Kware fish is distinct because of its taste,” he revealed, adding that: “Our fish though dark in colour is much tastier and nutritious compared to other varieties from other areas.”
Though infested with dangerous wildlife like crocodiles and others, fishermen bravely conduct their activities in the lake. Dan Abdul said they do not have much choice, as the lake offers them succour in times of distress as they drink, wash and eke out a living from it. The fisherman decries lack of support and motivation from the government especially concerning loans and provision of fishing kits.
Dan Abdul said with government’s intervention they could do better by providing enough fish for commercial purposes and the area can attract investors and tourists. He called on local and state governments to invest in the tourism sector by providing an enabling environment. He said the recent distribution of fishing kits by the state government to fishermen in the area was grossly inadequate and could not go round.
Dan Abdul called on state and local governments to assist the fishermen and farmers who are looking for support to fully utilise the lake: “Even during the dry season, farmers can produce onions, sugar cane, garden eggs and rice, and with adequate support can produce large quantities for commercial purposes and consumption.” The ball is in the court of the government to properly invest in Shalla Lake.