Sudan says dam project in north will flood 12 villages
May 4, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Youssef Tahir Qureshi, an adviser to the governor of Sudan’s Northern state on electricity and dam matters, said that the Kajbar dam project is expected to flood 12 villages in the east and west banks of the river Nile covering 3,600 acres.
The official who was speaking at a forum hosted by Sudan official news agency (SUNA) underscored the importance of the dam in boosting economic and social development in the region. He noted that the dam would contribute to the creation of many heavy industries there using iron and minerals.
Qureshi stressed his government’s keenness to compensate and resettle affected villagers saying it will create two agricultural projects for them covering an area of 17,000 and 29,000 acres respectively while promising to establish state of art resettlement areas which has all the required services and facilities.
He said that the upcoming stage will witness an open dialogue with anti-dam elements and urged citizens to understand the economic benefits of the dam which he said will result in a complete turnaround and create a prosperous future for the people.
A museum will be founded to collect the historical artifacts found in the region, Qureshi said adding that implementation of the dam project will start only after the process of compensation and resettlement is completed.
The Chinese-financed project has provoked strong opposition from the residents of the region and in 2007 police clashed with protestors killing four people.
(ST)