By Salejo Kano
In a move for a sustainable development and climate-resilient agriculture, the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Alhaji Rabiu Suleiman Bichi renewed the commitment to efficient water resource management.
He made the commitment when he led a tour of key water Dams and infrastructure projects under the Authority in company of the management team.
The Agency’s Public Relations officer Salisu Hamzat in a press statement said, the tour included the inspections of the Challawa Gorge Dam with (962 million cubic meters), Tiga Dam (1.968 billion cubic meters), and the Ruwan Kanya River Storage (50 million cubic meters).
These facilities play vital role in irrigation, hydropower, and regional water supply, which are key to sustainable socio-economic growth.
Bichi identified several operational setbacks such as faulty instrumentation and pipework, emphasizing the urgent need for rehabilitation to maximize the utility of the critical assets.
He said, “effective water management is essential not just for agriculture but for powering communities and sustaining livelihoods.”
Integrating Clean Energy and Water Stewardship:
As part of the tour, the team also assessed hydroelectric power projects initiated by the Kano State Government at the Challawa and Tiga dams.
The HJRBDA Managing Director expressed strong support for the integration of renewable energy into the region’s development strategy, aligning with broader national and global sustainability goals.
Bichi said, “this synergy between irrigation and clean energy is a strategic step toward reducing carbon footprints while enhancing productivity.”
A stakeholder engagement session with the Water Users Association (WUA) was held at the Kano River Irrigation Project (KRIP) office in Kura where Bichi addressed local farmers, clarifying that water service charges are essential to sustaining the infrastructure that supports their livelihoods.
Alh. Bichi reaffirming HJRBDA’s dedication to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly through the Irrigate Nigeria Project, which aims to transform agricultural productivity through sustainable water use.
He called for ongoing collaboration between government agencies, communities, and private stakeholders to overcome existing challenges and unlock the full potential of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin.