Assessment of the Socioeconomic Impacts of Gurara Dam on the Host Communities of Kaduna State Nigeria

Gurara dam located within two local governments in Kaduna state that shared boundary with the Federal Capital Territory was constructed to boast socioeconomic activities in the Federal Capital Territory. Contrary to the target objective of Gurara dam, it is also obvious that dam comes with great consequences. Thus, the socioeconomic impacts of Gurara dam on the host communities were assessed. The objectives were to: assess the positive socioeconomic impacts of Gurara on the host communities; assess of the negative socioeconomic impacts of Gurara on the host communities and to compare the positive and negative socioeconomic impacts of Gurara on the host communities. Survey of five hundred (500) households was conducted using questionnaire and stakeholders’ consultation. Purposive and systematic sampling technique, were used for the study. Data collected were analyzed using mean and percentages. Result shows that over fifty per cent (50%) affirmed that there have been outstanding, increments in irrigation farming and dry season farming which have also translated to improvement in their livelihood. In terms of negative impacts, involuntary displacement, public health risks, loss of farmland, community dispersal, land use modification, increase in erosion and flooding are well pronounced as they all had over ninety per cent (90%) recognition by respondents. The positive impacts outweighed the negative impacts. It was concluded that the operation of the dam has had significant positive and negative socioeconomic impact. It was recommended that the dam management board should set up grievance redress committee to address outstanding issues regarding displacement, resettlement and compensation.