Residents of Pulbaa in the Fian Electoral Area of the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District in the Upper West Region have bemoaned the breakdown and spill-off of their irrigation dam which used to serve as a source of livelihood for them.
The dam was said to have broken away last year following heavy downpours during the rainy season.
Speaking to Info Radio, the chief of the community, Naa Pual Bandong said that the dam was constructed using manual hand and tools in a communal labour to enable them conserve water for dry season farming and for livestock rearing.
He noted that the dam was washed away due to the heavy rains of last year, and is now dried up.
According to him, when they heard of the government one-village-one-dam project, they were happy and hoping to have been benefiting from it but have now lost hope in the project.
He it would have been a relief for them and a source of livelihood to the youth and women as they could engage in dry season farming to alleviate poverty in the area.
Mr. Lawie B. Vincent, president for Pulbaa Youth Development Association (PYDA), said the dam was constructed during his childhood and he used to do gardening during the dry season which was helpful to him and his family.
He however, disclosed that the dam was awarded on contract for renovation before it was ‘unfortunately’ washed off.
Madam Shafiqa Ahmed, an Agric Extension Officer at the area, told Info Radio that the dam used to serve a good source of water for multiple economic uses.
She appealed to authorities in the area to reconstruct the dam as it can be used for agricultural ventures such as fish farming and gardening.