Negative human activities threaten Matan Fada River, venue of Argungu International Fishing Festival

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By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi

The famous Matan Fada River, venue of Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival has began drying up following the negative activities of some farmers who diverted the source of the water flowing from River Rima to their farms.

The said farmers had erected an embarkment at Gurbin Manu in Augie Local Government Area thereby cutting water flow into Matan Fada which in turn created a big threat to the fish, crops as well as pastoral and domestic activities that affected not only Argungu but Seven LGAs that River Rima passed through

In order to arrest the situation, Kebbi State Government had deployed professionals in water engineering to design a concept that would allow uninterrupted flow of water to the tributary of Matan Fada River and Mala in Argungu which also extended to River Dukku in Birnin Kebbi and passed through Bunza before emptying in River Niger.

The team led by Commissioner for Environment, Musa Mohammed Tungulawa, three other commissioners, representative of the Emir of Argungu, Engr Aminu Musa and Engr Atiku Umar visited the site to evaluate the situation and possible solutions to the problem that if not controlled would take a toll on the socioeconomic activities of the affected communities.

While speaking to newsmen, Tunguluwa said after assessing the situation the team would report back to Governor Nasir Idris the best concept that would put in place a solution that would stand the taste of time as well as preserve the values of the river and the benefitting communities.

The commissioner however noted that while Government was committed to making people living along riverine enjoy comfortable lives they should always avoid engaging themselves in activities that would temper with the free flow of water, saying any obstruction would live a negative impact in their communities as witnessed in the wrong embarkment.