By Salim Umar Ibrahim
The Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Suleiman Bichi has led the agency’s top management team on a comprehensive familiarization tour of key water infrastructure projects under its jurisdiction.
The tour, which covered major water storage and hydroelectric installations, was part of renewed efforts by the federal agency to improve water resource management, support sustainable agriculture, and reinforce infrastructure maintenance in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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Among the critical facilities visited were the Challawa Gorge Dam with a storage capacity of 962 million cubic meters, the Tiga Dam with 1.968 billion cubic meters capacity, and the Ruwan Kanya River Storage facility holding 50 million cubic meters.
During the inspection, the HJRBDA team identified several operational challenges, including damaged instrumentation and faulty piping systems that require immediate attention to restore full functionality.
The team also assessed ongoing hydroelectric power projects initiated by the Kano State Government at both Challawa and Tiga Dams. Alhaji Bichi reaffirmed HJRBDA’s commitment to supporting renewable energy solutions and strengthening water infrastructure to meet growing demand for irrigation and electricity across the region.
The visit concluded with an interactive session at the Kano River Irrigation Project (KRIP) office in Kura, where the MD met with the Water Users Association (WUA). Addressing the gathering, Alhaji Bichi clarified that water charges collected from farmers are not taxes but essential service fees used for maintaining and improving irrigation systems.
In response, the farmers appealed for support ahead of the coming planting season, particularly the provision of tractors and combined harvesters. The MD assured them that the authority would review their request as part of its broader commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and food security in the region.
Speaking after the tour, Bichi reiterated the authority’s dedication to improving water infrastructure, boosting food production, and ensuring efficient resource use across the river basin. He called for closer collaboration among stakeholders, including federal and state governments, local communities, and development partners.
“We are fully committed to implementing President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially in the areas of food security and irrigation development. Our efforts are geared toward building a self-sufficient agricultural economy and securing livelihoods for farmers in Northern Nigeria,” he said.
The MD also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, promising to drive the “Irrigate Nigeria” initiative with renewed vigor.
