Kaduna govt dismisses fears of Kangimi Dam collapse

The Kaduna State Government has firmly denied reports claiming the Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area is on the brink of collapse, stating the dam is secure, functioning properly, and poses no threat to the surrounding communities. The government clarified that the recent flood advisory issued by NiMet for 10 states, including Kaduna, does not impact the dam's safety.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Ashiru Abdu Na Abdu, explained in a statement on Thursday that the structural concerns highlighted in social media images were first noted in 2015/2016 and were attributed to the dam's age and pressure from heavy rainfall. These concerns were swiftly addressed with emergency remedial works carried out by the ministry to ensure public safety.

The statement further emphasized that the Kangimi Dam has been under continuous monitoring and minimal maintenance, with "no indication of active structural failure." The government reiterated that the dam is currently intact and fulfilling its intended purpose, adding that precautionary measures are being taken to further strengthen the structure and enhance its safety monitoring system.

This includes procuring modern safety equipment such as automated water-level gauges, early-warning sirens, and telemetry systems for round-the-clock dam monitoring. The Kaduna government urged residents to disregard reports of imminent collapse, reiterating its unwavering commitment to the safety of communities surrounding the facility.