Paper Title
The Influence Of Dams On The Growth And Development Of Nigerian Economy
Abstract
The kernel of this paper is on the influence of dams on growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
Countries in “the third world”, less developed nations and advanced nations recognize the sin qua non role of dams in the
overall development of their economies, most particularly in the rural and urban sectors. Thereby, efflorescing growth and
development. A corollary to the former sentence gave impetus to Nigeria to embark upon the construction and maintenance
of dams all over the nation. Nigeria spent a colossal sum of over 10 (ten) trillion dollars in the construction of dams.
However, a microscopic view of Nigeria political landscape will reveal that the construction of dams is laced with a misgrill
success and failures. This finds expression in the plethora of problems bedeviling the policy. These problems include the
issue of corruption, inadequate funds etc. Consequently, the paper defines the concept of dams and development. The paper
is explicated with the aid of holistic theory and system theory. The nexus or the interconnect between dams, growth and
development is orchestrated. The socio-economic cum political pathologies benighting the construction and the maintenance
of dams is discussed. Epitomizing, the paper opines that the government policy on the construction of dams and its
maintenance in all ramifications, is a veritable pedestal for the development of Nigerian economy.
Keywords— Dams, Economy, Development, Construction.