The Federal Government is developing a ₦95bn 5,000-hectare irrigation scheme under the Special Intervention Project of the Ecological Project Office to boost food production, enhance food security and create jobs, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The irrigation initiative, supervised by the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, covers the Challawa Goje Dam, Tiga Dam and Kafin Chiri Dam, with the aim of expanding all-year-round farming, increasing food production and creating employment opportunities across the country.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the project sites, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, said the projects were progressing steadily and would improve agricultural productivity upon completion.
Abdulaziz disclosed that work at one of the project locations had reached nearly 40 per cent completion, with major site clearing already concluded and construction of canal infrastructure underway.
He explained that the irrigation canals, spanning about 2.5 kilometres at the inspected location, would transport water pumped from the dam to farmlands, enabling year-round cultivation and improving farmers’ yields.
The presidential aide added that beyond improving food production, the initiative would generate employment, stimulate rural economic activities and contribute to poverty reduction by creating sustainable livelihoods for farming communities.
Also speaking during the inspection tour, the Director of Finance and Administration of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority HJRBDA, Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, said the irrigation scheme is part of the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.
He noted that the project is designed to boost agricultural productivity through irrigation farming and enhance the nation’s food security.
Kwankwaso disclosed that the Federal Government has released ₦95 billion for the execution of the irrigation projects.
During the tour, officials also inspected the Challawa 2×3-megawatt Hydropower Plant located at the Challawa Goje Dam, a project expected to complement electricity supply in Kano State.
Managing Director of Kano Hydro and Energy Development Company, Engineer Ado Ibrahim Doguwa, said the hydropower plant is designed to generate six megawatts of electricity and that virtually all civil engineering works had been completed.
Doguwa explained that only the mechanical and electrical installations remain, adding that commissioning engineers had already commenced the final phase of installation, while approval was being sought to connect the new penstock to the existing water infrastructure. He expressed optimism that the plant would be ready for commissioning within two months.
He further revealed that the generated electricity would primarily support the Challawa Water Works, with excess power expected to be distributed to neighbouring communities and local government areas, thereby improving electricity supply and supporting socio-economic development in the state.