The Contribution of Zobe Dam to the Socio-Economic Development of Makera Community Dutsinma Local Government Area, Katsina State North-Western Nigeria

Badamasi Jamda Saidu,Godwill Geofrey Jidauna,Jamila Kira Sanusi,Daniel Davou Dabi

doi:10.11648/j.ijema.20190703.13

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of Zobe dam to the socio-economic development of Makera Community Dutsinma LGA, Katsina State north-western Nigeria. The study identified types of socio-economic activities supported by the dam and their impact. Total of 392 questionnaires was administered to adults target population using stratified random sampling technique. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed main economic activities supported by the dam are farming (60.46%), fishing (30.10%), domestic water supply (5.52%) and livestock watering (3.057). The positive contributions of the dam include an increase in the availability of social amenities and resident’s standard of living. Specific impacts were increased income, increased crop yield, increased farm sizes, commercial fishing and increased access to water supply sources. The survey also revealed the dam is a major pull-factor with 79.59% respondent’s decision to settle in the area influenced by the dam. The negative impacts were; occasional floods that erode crops, farmlands, the introduction of new pest and spread of water associated diseases (schistosomiasis, malaria, and typhoid in decreasing magnitude). ANOVA test showed no significant difference in literacy level, occupation and water use among residents. Analysis of water quality to determine the impact of activities was recommended.

Highlights

Water is a commodity which is directly used by man but it is often the mainspring for extensive economic development, an essential element in man’s aesthetic experience, and always a major formative factor of the physical and biological environment which provides the stage for his activities [1]
The study targeted adult males who are household heads. This is because the norm in typical Muslim dominated settlement in northern Nigeria with the exception of food preparation places the responsibility of all family needs on the husband who is recognized as the household head
The high marital status of respondents is another typical characteristic of Muslim dominated settlements in northern Nigeria

Summary

Introduction

Water is a commodity which is directly used by man but it is often the mainspring for extensive economic development, an essential element in man’s aesthetic experience, and always a major formative factor of the physical and biological environment which provides the stage for his activities [1]. Irrigation, played a central role in the development of the earliest known civilizations in valleys of Tigris and Euphrates, Nile, Indus, and Yellow Rivers [2]. There are great differences in water availability among regions and supply through time as a result of both seasonal variation and interannual variation. Most often this has been responsible for shaping human settlements. In northern Nigeria for instance, water availability influenced the pattern of human settlements with water availability and population density having a reciprocal relationship [3]

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