Work on dam construction.




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Background: Work is going ahead on the Kainji Dam in Nigeria which will create a lake of 480 square miles (1250 sq kms) The Dam is one of the world's ten leading construction projects. Towns and villages will disappear beneath it as the water of the Niger River rises in September next year and 50,000 people will have to be resettled.

The lake will be 85 miles (135kms) long, stretching north from the dam to the capital of Ya'uri Emirate, Yelwa. A good fishing ground is expected to result from the project, with an annual catch of 10,000 tons forecast.

Power generated from Kainji will be transmitted over the national grid to all the Regions of the Federation and will be sufficient to cater for all their needs for many years.

As well as Nigeria, the World Bank, Italy, Britain, the United States and Holland, are financing the GBP80 million-project.

All the rock and stand required for building is found on the bed and banks of the Niger--in the case of the Volta Dam, the rock has had to be brought over ten miles (15 kms) to the site.