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Construction of Kandaji Dam in the Republic of Niger
Project Objectives and Description
The project, which is located near Kandadji village
187 km north western of the capital city Niamey, aims at contributing to the
improvement and preservation of the Niger River,s ecosystem. The project also
aims at achieving agricultural development and food security, generating power,
providing job opportunities and consequently eliminating poverty by restoring
the previous outflow rates of the river stream through the construction of the
dam near Kandadji village. The project is the first phase of Kandadji
development program which includes the components presented in the following
sections:
a. The dam and its annexes: these include the construction of an earth fill dam
with a length of 8,400 m, a height of 26 m and a storage capacity of 1.56
billion m3 of water and all relevant infrastructure works that include the civil
works for the construction of the dam, flood discharge facilities, power
station, bottom discharge, potable water intake and another intake for the
agricultural irrigation water.
b. Equipment: including the supply and installation of mechanical equipment
related to the irrigation and potable water intakes, power station with a total
capacity of 125 Megawatts and bottom discharge.
c. Consultancy services: including the supervision of the dam construction works
and the installation of the mechanical equipment
d. Environmental and social programs: including the preparation of the drawings
and studies, removal of jungles, utilization of forests, preservation of flora,
control of the deterioration of the river conditions, resettlement of the
population of the region and reclamation of about 2,000 hectares of arable lands
by 2014 that will be increased to 31,000 hectares by 2,034 to be cultivated by
the inhabitants of the region including all necessary constituents of the social
infrastructure.
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Importance and rationale of the project:
The development process in Niger faces numerous
challenges, on the top of which is the nature of the country as a desert and
landlocked. In addition, the country was hit by waves of sharp droughts that
have negatively affected the stream outflow in the Niger River which is
considered the third largest river in Africa. It is 4200 km long, and the main
source of surface water in the Republic of Niger. The river,s banks are the home
of more than 2.5 million people of the total population of Niger which estimated
to 10 million people. Furthermore, the river is the main source of food
production and provision. Unfortunately, the condition of the river has been
worsened as several countries through which the river passes have constructed
dams on the river leading to, along with the accelerated sequence of droughts,
the reduction of the outflow rate in the river stream from 67m3/second to less
than 22m3/second. Consequently, the quantities of water allocated for drinking
and agriculture have been largely decreased in addition to the negative impact
on the environment in the region. Therefore, the project is the proper solution
that guarantees the renewal and protection of the ecosystem of the Niger River
and ensures the availability of water for various purposes all over the year.
The project will thus improve the food security level in the country through the
increase of irrigated arable lands in addition to power generation.
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Project Cost
The total costs of the project are estimated at about
US$ 317.25 million equivalent to SR. 1,190 million and it is anticipated to be
completed by the year 2014.
Project Benefits
- Contributing to the achievement of food security: food security in the
Republic of Niger mainly depends on the production of cereals as the main source
of food for the population in the country in addition to animal and fish
products. The project will contribute to the improvement and availability of
crops, livestock yield and the increase of fish quantities and consequently will
reduce malnutrition rates.
- Eliminating poverty: the project will result in the increase of production,
rise of income and the creation of job opportunities; a matter which shall
contribute to the realization of the State,s policy aiming at employing as much
agricultural labor as possible to meet the growth of population in the region
and raise their income rates.
- Contributing to the stability of the inhabitants: implementing the project
shall lead to the stability of the current inhabitants and attracting more
immigrant inhabitants from nearby villages to make use of the positive outcomes
of the project in the fields of creating job opportunities and providing a
better standard of living for the population. The project shall improve the
socio-economic conditions and develop the direct agricultural and parallel
economic activities.
- Contributing to improving living conditions: the availability of potable water
will alleviate the suffering of the inhabitants particularly women in addition
to improving the health conditions
- Sustainable utilization of natural resources: the execution of the project
will contribute to the realization of the governmental policy in rural
development sector which focuses on the optimum utilization of water resources
and the sustainable development of the natural resources.
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SFD,s Activities in the Republic of Niger
SFD contributes to finance eight different
developmental projects in various sectors with a total amount of SR. 299.65
million. Six of these projects were completely executed. Recently, an agreement
for education development project has been signed. SFD also supervised the
management of three grants provided by the government of the KSA with an amount
of SR. 100.12 million. Two of these grants were fully executed while the other
grant is currently under execution and will be completed by the end of 2010.
Such contributions included water, education, health, roads and housing sectors.
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