President John Dramani Mahama is considering the construction of small dugouts in communities affected by the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam, as part of efforts to convert floodwaters into a resource for dry-season agriculture.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Akamugri Donatus Atanga, disclosed this when he visited Sapelega in the Bawku West District on Thursday to assess the impact of the ongoing spillage.
The Minister was accompanied by the Bawku West District Chief Executive, James Ayamwego, and officials of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO).
According to Mr. Akamugri, the proposed dugouts would be constructed at strategic locations away from riverbanks to capture and store excess water released during the annual spillage of the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso.
He said the stored water could subsequently be used by farmers during the dry season, helping communities to derive an economic benefit from the annual release of excess water.
“So that when the spillage is done, then the waters can be collected over there. And when it comes to the dry season, those hold-up areas, the water will still be there for us to do the dry-season farming, so that we will see the spillage of the Bagre Dam to be a blessing instead of being a curse,” he said.
Mr. Akamugri said the proposal was part of President Mahama’s efforts to find a sustainable solution to the perennial flooding that affects communities along the White Volta following the annual spillage.
He said the President was exploring innovative approaches that would ensure the phenomenon did not continue to cause destruction and disruption to communities every rainy season.
“President John Dramani Mahama is thinking outside the box to see how we’ll be able to address this perennial problem so that it shouldn’t be ritual for us every year when it comes to the rainy season,” the Minister stated.
The Regional Minister said the proposed intervention could serve a dual purpose by reducing the vulnerability of communities to flooding while providing water for agricultural production during the dry season.
The visit to Sapelega comes amid the ongoing spillage of the Bagre Dam, which commenced on August 28. Mr. Akamugri said communities along the White Volta had been sensitised by the Bawku West District Assembly and NADMO after authorities were informed about the planned spillage.
He, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid the banks of the White Volta, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall, which could result in increased water releases and sudden flooding.
“People should stay away from the riverbanks. We shouldn’t be closer to the riverbank, especially the children. Don’t let them get closer,” he cautioned.
The Minister assured affected communities of continued government support and reiterated the government’s commitment to pursuing a more permanent solution to the recurring flooding associated with the annual Bagre Dam spillage.
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