The Nigerian government has commissioned two excavators at Barrage in Jigawa State, northern Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu says the two machines were specifically designed for operation in wetlands, riverbeds, and floods where ordinary excavators cannot operate.
According to the Minister, the general reduction in the storage of water in Hadejia Barrage and the Kanya River reservoirs resulted in the growth of typha grass and silt deposits within the reservoirs and the main irrigation water canals adding that this necessitated the purchase of the two amphibious excavators.
Adamu disclosed that 80% of the main canals and other distribution channels were completely blocked and thereby obstructing the free flow of water in the irrigation schemes in Kano River and Hadeja Valley.
“The excavator can efficiently carry out a whole lot such as floods and disaster recovery work, dredging, environmental remediation and removal of typha grass,” Adamu said.
These amphibious excavators are to promote the maintenance of the schemes and revenue generation.
The Managing Director, Hadejia-Jama’re River Basin Development Authority （J-HRBNDA)Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu who purchased the excavators pointed out that the Jigawa State Government has also purchased additional two CAT 320 model amphibious excavators that will be concurrently used to work alongside the two in Guri Town for river training work and removal of typha grass for the next two weeks where they would be subsequently moved back to Guri.
He appreciated the State Government for the donation of N1.6 million stating that, it is a notable example, worthy of emulation.
He further called on other State Governments to emulate Jigawa State, pointing out that it is an opportunity to clean up the river Basin.
Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu also assured the State Government that the training of the eight technical staff of the authority for the maintenance of the machines will be effectively deployed to generate revenue for the maintenance and the good of the State.
“The excavator can efficiently carry out a whole lot such as floods and disaster recovery work, dredging, environmental remediation and removal of typha grass,” Adamu said.
The minister urged the people to ensure the maintenance and sustenance of the machines for the intended good purpose.
Confidence Okwuchi
