IMPACT OF ERINLE MULTI-PURPOSE DAM ON EDE REGION, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of multipurpose dam on the inhabitants of Ede region with a view to suggesting appropriate measures of enhancing its productive capacity and optimal use for the overall benefit of the region. Using survey design method, the following objectives were addressed: identify the catchment areas of the Ede dam; assess the socio-economic characteristics of the inhabitants of Ede- region; investigate the benefits and adverse effects of the multipurpose dam to the inhabitants of the region; identify challenges confronting the operational efficiency of Ede dam; and assess the roles of government (Federal, State, and Local if any) in the development and management of Ede multipurpose dam. The number of residential buildings in the eleven wards that make up the region were determined to represent the research population. Altogether, there are seven thousand one hundred and forty-nine (7149) residential buildings in the area and out of which five hundred (500) copies of structured questionnaires were disaggregated and administered randomly on residents across the eleven (11) wards in the region. Univariate (using bar charts, pie charts, frequency, figures, maps, tables, photographs and Graphs) and bivariate (using Pearson Product Moment Correlation) analyses of data were carried out. The study revealed amongst others that: Ede multipurpose dam was established in the year 1988 to provide water for domestic, irrigation, industrial and other uses of the inhabitants of Ede region; the dam serves the inhabitants of Sabo/Agbongbe I, Sabo/Agbongbe II, Sagba/Abogunde and Oloba/Atapara for domestic purposes, fishing and irrigation farming over and above the remaining wards. This can be attributed to the close proximity of the wards to the dam; Osun State Water Corporation affirmed that paucity of funds/inadequate funding was the major factor affecting their capacity to supply water to the teeming inhabitants of Ede region; flooding, breeding of mosquitoes/flies and other disease vectors, and destruction of species from their natural habitat were the negative consequences of the Dam; and settlements in close proximity to the dam were prone to flooding compare to those that maintain a considerable distance from the dam. The hypotheses tested revealed that there is a significant relationship between socio-economic characteristics of the respondents and water consumption satisfaction; and there is a significant relationship between government intervention in dam development and regularity of water supply in the region. Based on research findings, the study recommend adequate and sustainable funding, construction of boreholes, installation of large scale water reticulation systems, dredging of dam and engineering structures amongst others to enhance the positive externality effects of the dam and curtail the negative externality effects.