Dam collapses in north Nigeria, floods fields

A farmer and Nigeria's official news agency say a newly rehabilitated dam has collapsed and destroyed fields of newly planted crops in northern Katsina state.

Kankia Dam had been unused for more than 10 years until the government ordered its rehabilitation to ease growing shortages in an area that produces maize, millet, rice and cotton.

Local newspapers say the project was completed in April at a cost of more than USD 625,000 to dredge and build a new embankment and spillways.

Farmer Ladan Daru said today the new earthen dam wall began collapsing last week. The News Agency of Nigeria said the dam collapsed but did not say when.
 

Buildings and other infrastructure regularly collapse in Nigeria because of corruption with builders using inferior products and shoddy workmanship.