Northern Senators Commend Gov Yusuf’s Efforts In Reviving Kano Moribund Dams

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Spokesperson for the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulrahman Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, has lauded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for approving the release of N2.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the moribund Kafin-Chiri irrigation scheme in Kano State.

In a statement issued on Friday, July 26, 2024, the Senator representing Kano South Senatorial district noted that the move will exact positive impacts on the agricultural sector.

The Source reports that the Kano State Government on Thursday July 25 ,announced the approval of the sum, as parts of its wider efforts to guarantee food security, amidst growing scarcity and rising costs of essential food items.

A statement issued by Ameen Yassar, the Project Communication Assistant to the  Kano State Agricultural Development Programme KSADP, said the initiative aims at boosting agricultural produce in the area ,as well as creating job opportunities for the teeming youths.

The programme is jointly funded by the Islamic Development Bank, the Lives and Livelihood Fund and the Kano state Government.

The Project Coordinator Ibrahim Garba Muhammad, informed stakeholders in Garko Local Council of the State that about 419 hectares of land will be cultivated during dry season farming through the instrumentality of the irrigation scheme when operational.

” Initially our plan was to develop additional 1000 hectares of land at the Watari Irrigation project. But shortly after the commencement of the work ,we discovered that the Federal Government has awarded a similar contract in the vicinity  ,which extends to a portion of our designated area of work.

“Therefore ,we obtained approval from the Islamic Development Bank to use part of the funds saved from the Watari project to develop 419 hectares elsewhere and the state Governor gave us the go -ahead to develop agricultural land in the vicinity of Kafin Chiri Dam” the KSADP statement noted .

The statement further noted that all farm owners within the vicinity of the irrigation scheme, will be clearly enumerated, so as to ensure that nobody is short- changed when the project is completed.

Highlighting some of the gains of the scheme to farmers, Project Engineer Zahraddeen Hamisu Zerewa, explained that part of the proposal for the project is for water to be conveyed from the Dam and be distributed to all the farms through a network of canals using gravity.

” This means that farmers will no longer buy fuel to power water pumps.They will be saving a lot of money ” he noted .

Senator Sumaila described  the extension of the kano irrigation scheme to Garko Sumaila axis  a pivotal initiative that will create over 500 direct and indirect jobs, thereby uplifting livelihoods and promoting economic growth.

The Northern Senators Spokesman, further emphasised that the project has the potentials of enhancing food production and guarantee food security not only in kano state ,but in the country at large.

He appealed to farmers in the area to make maximum use of the opportunities presented by the project.

” I urge the farming communities to collaborate with the authorities, embrace farming techniques and capitalize on this generous gesture by the Government.

“The people of the area should join hands in celebrating this land mark initiative and strive  towards a future of abundance harvest and economic prosperity”, Senator Sumaila enjoined.