Food Security: FG To Rehabilitate Dams In Northwest

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office, Dr. Aishetu Ndayako (middle) addressing the management team of Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority led by its Acting MD Engr. Bello Sani in Abuja recently. 

In a bid to guarantee food security, the Federal Government has indicated interest to rehabilitate dams in the Northwest.

The Permanent Secretary of Ecological Project Office (EPO) Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndayako stated this in Abuja on Tuesday when she received a delegation from Hadejia-Jama'are River Basin Development Authority. 

When completed, the dams will improve food production, livelihood of the residents and create jobs for unemployed persons in the geopolitical zone in line with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

Some of the dams mapped out for rehabilitation are Kano River irrigation project, as well as 22 projects earmarked to be carried out in Tiga, Callaway and Kafin Chiri dams. 

The PS insisted that the projects must improve the livelihoods of the benefitting communities through job creation and food security.

Ndayako said that the crux of the meeting was the rehabilitation of Kano irrigation system, a key project under the renewed hope agenda; identifying infrastructure needs of the catchment areas in Kano; determining the factors for long term success; and development of stakeholder coordination and engagement strategies.

She informed that President Tinubu is interested in the projects and has provided the enabling environment for speedy completion. 

According to her, "This is the first time that Ecological Project Office has been called upon to intervene in this regard and it cannot fail". 

She informed that the intervention would be replicated in the six geopolitical zones, starting with the Northwest.

Ndayako was optimistic that the projects would be completed and handed over to the beneficiaries by the first quarter of 2025.

She advised contractors that would handle the projects to carefully rehabilitate the dams in order to forestall the September 10, 2024 flooding experienced in Maiduguri and other parts of the country.

Ndayako stated that while providing water for irrigation and animals, the contractors should consider providing treated water for domestic use. 

The Acting Managing Director of Hadejia-Jama'are River Basin Development Authority,  Engr. Bello Gwarzo assured of the agency's unalloyed support in delivering the projects in time and according to specifications.