CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
In every society whether rural or urban there is dominant economic activity engaged by large number of population of that society. This research focus on Zobe Dam and its socio-economic impact on the people living around the dam site. A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams to confine and utilize the flow of water for human purposes (Monk house et al, 1973). According to Lawson (1972) resources behind dams are man-made water bodies which are important for water resources development programmes.
Dams are built for single or multiple uses. Single use dams are constructed for single purpose like hydroelectric power generation. Multiple or multipurpose dams are built to supply water for diverse uses such as water supply for municipal and industrial uses, livestock and fishing production etc. (Norman 1976).
Dam project or construction of dams dates to many centuries ago. Starting in the Nile and Tigris in the present day Egypt and Iraq respectively. In Nigeria most of our dams are multipurpose dams, such as Kainji dam which was built in 1968, Tiga dam in Kano, Bakalori dam in Zamfara, Goronyo dam Sokoto, and Zobe Dam in Katsina state (Norman 1976).
Dams have been used by man long before the Christian era. The concept of ancient river valley civilization has been widely accepted for many years and five valley societies of importance are well known as; Egypt in Nile valley, Indian civilization in the Indus valley, china in the yellow river valley (Oliver, 1976).
According to Oliver (1971), the costs of dam construction are expensive. Apart from flood control, they can also be utilize to hydropower, improve navigation, provide irrigation waters and established recreational facilities. Large dams have other negative features in addition to cost. The reservoir that forms behind the dam may in updates thousands of acres of fertile agricultural land. Another disadvantage of dam is that; it has adverse effect on the human health as the water facilitate the breeding of malaria transmitting mosquitoes and tiny black flies that acts as host for worms that can be barrowed into human blood stream and cause river blindness(Oliver, 1971).
Some irrigation, perhaps on the tributaries of big river system and areas surrounding big dams is plausible. In the past the development of methods of capture, control, distribution and use of dams or water has been the predominant issue but this has been submitted with building dams, combine with generating and transmitting electricity and the likes. Today the relevance of dams to human societies is well articulated in literature despite all those negative implementation of dam construction. Against the background, this study seeks to assess the impacts of Zobe Dam on socioeconomic activities of people living around the dam site.
1.1 Statement of the Research Problems
The construction of dams is considered as one of the most effective means of solving human problems of water shortage in sub-humid and arid areas. Olofin (1982) assert that in Nigeria, dams’ construction is seen as the only solution to the problem of water scarcity in savannah areas. Ologe (1973), state that dams bring social and economic changes to the regions where they are found. Also Warren and Robbin (1968), show that the creation of large reservoirs inevitably brings a host of changes such as agricultural innovation in form of irrigation, improved fishing, infrastructure facilities, electricity and pipe borne water. It also brings about some negative socio-economic consequences, like inundation of farms by water, reduction in fishing activities increased health hazard especially those associated resettlement or displacement and relocation of the affected population. However, despite those problems, Zobe Dam like all other dams constructed both within and outside Nigeria have contributed to the improvement of living conditions of people living around dam side. Therefore this study seeks to find out:
1. What are the forms of human activities taking place around the dam site.
2. What are the positive impacts of these activities on human life around dam
site.
3. What are the environmental problems faced by people living along Zobe Dam
site.
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research is to assess the effect of Zobe Dam on socio-economic activities of people living around dam site. To achieve this aim the following objectives will be persuade.
1. To identify some forms of human activities around dam site (e.g. fishing,
irrigation, transportation etc).
2. To identify the significance of these activities on the teaming population living along the dam site.
3. To identify some environmental problems (e.g. flooding, soil erosion, pollution etc) around Zobe Dam site.
1.3 Significance of the Study
1. This study will provide up to date information about the impact of Zobe Dam on its surrounding environments
2. The findings of this study will serve as a reference point that can guide future policy on Zobe Dam management.
3. It will reveal the socio-economic benefits derived by people around dam site.
4. It will reveal the environmental problems faced by people around the dam site.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What are the forms of human activities taking place around the dam site?
2. What are the impacts of these activities on human life around the dam site?
3. What are the environmental problems faced by people living along Zobe Dam
site?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The research hypotheses formulated for this study are:-
(1) Ho: there is no relationship between Zobe Dam and socio-economic activities taken place around the dam site.
(2) Hi: there is relationship between Zobe Dam and socio-economic activities taking place around the dam site.
1.6 Scope of the Study
This study covers the socio-economic impact of Zobe Dam on its neighboring environment. About three (3) communities were studied; Garhi, Takatsaba and Makera.
1.7.0 Study Area
1.7.1 Location of Physical Background
Zobe Dam falls in Dutsinma local government area of Katsina state it is situated between latitude 120 23’ 18” N to 120 388 330 N and longitude 70 28’ 29”E to 70 4747 2 E. Zobe Dam was constructed in 1972 and commissioned 1983. It has a height of 48m and length of about 360m.
There are about 32 villages along the reservoir in west. The dam boundaries extends from Hau-Kanzama and Garhi, in the East, by the Tuga in the South, and by Makera, Ardawa, Siya-siya, and to be North by Tangaluk and Katsali. The dam has only two at tributaries; these include river Karaduwa which is flanked by Gada River to the north and Gagare River to the South.
The villages initially within and near the dam are Makera, Garkin dankari,
Goberawa, Tangalawa, Takazaba, Tuga, Marmara, Paddawa kunci, Keba and Salihawa. Most of the villages were completely submerge by the dam. For the purpose of this study three bigger villages around the dam site selected and they are Garhi, Makera, and Takatsaba.
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Source: KTARDA Report on Zobe Dam, 2008.
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Source: KTARDA Report on Zobe Dam, 2008.
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1.7.2 Climate
The climate is hot and dry for most part of rainy season from mid-may to beginning of
October and the dry season from November to March. In April and early weeks of
May the weather is warm and muggy with low precipitation (Buchman, 1974:144). During the dry season descending tropical continental air masses from the desert extends to south of the catchment area of the region. The region experience relative
cool weather from November to March with daily maximum temperature of about 240c – 380c and minimum temperature of about 160c -240c . ( udoh 1970). As rain season approaches tropical maritime air masses move inland from the Gulf of Guinea and there is heavy precipitation in the area, especially in the months of July and August.
The annual total ranges are between 500mm to 800mm (udoh 1970).
1.7.3 Vegetation
The vegetation of the area combines characteristic features of Guinea and Sudan savannah vegetation zone of the northern Nigeria. The natural vegetation has been divested and this is due to human activities such as bush burning and clearing land for crop production, wood cutting for domestic fuel, animal gathering and bush fire. The natural vegetation is mainly grasses interspaces with trees, relating the influence of rainfall on the vegetation (Areola 1982).
1.7.4 Geology and Soil
The geology of Zobe Dam area is characterized by geological succession of the Pre-
Cambrian rock which referred to as the “Basement complex” the nature of parent materials and topography has combined to produce different soil, and rocks. Drifts these render the area very porous and susceptible to erosion on the inter flares and upper slope of the undulating areas while in the rainy season flooded valleys and the side of soil drift the area more course and tend to be shallow, less water retention capacity and are of low or medium fertility, which couple with their fire constituent make them ideal for the growth of such crops including: millet, beans, and guinea corn over large area (Oguntioyinba 1983).
1.7.5 Economic Activities
In term of economy, agriculture is the most important occupation around the Zobe
Dam area. Thus it has the characteristics of most rural areas in the country, where by 90% of the population are farmers who practice farming at subsistence and commercial level. Also the level of economic activities in the area are expected to improve with the increase irrigation which is now guaranteeing and provide a lot of income to the people in the study area. Crops grown include cereals and vegetables. Another important occupation in Zobe Dam area is the fishing as well as livestock rearing. About 82% of the famers in the area practice mixed farming wood carving, poultry, tailoring, local craft butchering and marketing, business are also practiced in the area. (Suleiman Ahmed Misau 29 Dec.2005)
1.8 Research Methodology
First a reconnaissance survey will be carried out so as to get researcher to familiarize himself with study area. Then, latter, both direct field measurements and observations as well as Questionnaire administration will be carried out.
1.8.0 Sample and Sampling Frame
Since the total number of the household in Zobe Dam area is about 2,056 therefore, the questionnaires covered 2.5% of the households around of Zobe Dam will be
studied.
1.8.1 Sampling Techniques
Systematic random sampling was used in choosing the households to be interviewed as 2.5% amount to 101 household. This was made possible by the use of systematic random sampling which include the selection of household to be interviewed at regular interval of selecting every 10th household since 1014 household were chosen at random which is 2.5% of the total household. Purposive sampling was used to interview two key officials from whom information needed was procured. The two officials were interviewed from the following department:-
1. Irrigation monitoring department; and
2. Dam engineering and maintenance department.
1.8.2 Method of Data Collection
One hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed to the communities around the dam site each questionnaire contains twelve (12) questions. The question were use to generate information about the socio-economic impact of Zobe Dam on its neighboring environment. Therefore, the data generated from the administration of questionnaire is presented in chapter three.
1.8.3 Method of Data Analysis and Presentation
The data collected will be presented by the use of tables, graphs, charts, and simple percentages. This will enable the researcher to organize and summarize information.
However, inferential statistics will also be employed. The inferential statistics tool that will be used for this study is Chi-square.