By Yakubu Salisu, Kano
The Managing Director of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Alh. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi (FNIQS) has pledged support for farmers to boost food security and economic growth in the region.
He made the promise yesterday during a Familiarization Tour of Key Dams, Irrigation schemes and Hydroelectric Projects under it’s jurisdiction.
According to him, there is the need for collaborations between stakeholders to address challenges and harness the full potential of the river basin’s resources.
During the tour, the team covered critical water storage facilities, including:
– Challawa Gorge Dam (Capacity: 962 million cubic meters)
– Tiga Dam (Capacity: 1.968 billion cubic meters)
– Ruwan Kanya River Storage (Capacity: 50 million cubic meters).
In a press release made available to news men on Wednesday by spokesperson of Jama’are, Salisu Hazmat, the team observed operational challenges, including damaged instrumentation, faulty pipes, and other maintenance issues, which require urgent attention to ensure optimal performance.
He added that the Managing Director during his engagement with farmers emphasized that water charges are not taxes but payments for essential services rendered by the authority to maintain and improve irrigation infrastructure.
In response, the farmers appealed to HJRBDA for tractors and combined harvesters to support the upcoming planting season. The Managing Director assured them that their request would be reviewed promptly to enhance agricultural productivity in the region.
Additionally, the MD and his team inspected hydroelectric power generation projects initiated by the Kano State Government at both Challawa and Tiga Dams, reaffirming HJRBDA’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy and water resource management.
Bichi thanked President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed GCFR for giving them the opportunity to be of service to the people of Nigeria and promised to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda on food security and the irrigate Nigeria project with vigour.