"In line with Mr. President's transformation agenda, he has directed me to proceed with ensuring that this project is implemented for the benefit of the people of the northeastern region of this country," Sambo had said to the villagers who welcomed him at the site of the proposed dam.With his host, Governor Yuguda, his predecessor, Ahmadu Adamu Mu'azu, and the Emir of Ningi, Yunusa Mohammed Danyaya, by his sides, Sambo declared that the federal government was unwaveringly committed to the project's realization as part of the transformation objective of the previous president, Goodluck Jonathan.[8] Arguments in favor of the dam from supporters in Bauchi State include the benefits of irrigation for agriculture in the area, such as sugar cane crops, while controlled releases would avoid downstream impact.The study estimated that if implemented, even with a regulated flooding regime to reduce downstream impact, the Kafin Zaki dam project would have negative value of around US$15 million.[9] In April 2009, Dr. Hassan Bidliya, Administrative Secretary of the Hadejia-Jama'are-Komadugu-Yobe Basin Trust Fund, advised that any decision should be deferred until the Environmental Impact Assessment on the project had been completed.