Kano State government has been urged to join hands with the Nigerian government in advancing initiatives relating to dams, water supply, irrigation, and hydropower for the enhancement of food production for the entire nation.
Minister of Water resources and sanitation, Prof. Terlumun Utsev made this appeal during his visit to the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority in Kano, northern nigeria.
Prof Utsev stressed the Ministry’s eagerness to collaborate with state governments to expand irrigable lands, enhance agricultural production, improve water supply, and ensure food security.
Highlighting the Nigerian Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the activities of Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Utsev outlined his vision for reinforcing River Basin Development Authorities through capacity building and increased funding, aimed at achieving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Food Security Agenda.
The Minister pointed out that the Kano Irrigation Project, a joint effort of Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority and the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has already made significant strides by developing vast agricultural lands for irrigation purposes.
While underscoring the Nigerian Government’s commitment to ensuring food security for all Nigerians, the Minister noted the presence of ongoing and completed projects in Kano State, such as dams, irrigation, water supply, and sanitation, and stressed the importance of safeguarding and maintaining these projects.
Prof. Utsev highlighted the substantial socio-economic benefits these initiatives, not only to Kano and Jigawa States but also to other regions in Northern Nigeria and the entire nation.
In response, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, acknowledged the challenges in the state’s water sector and expressed readiness to collaborate with the Nigerian Government in addressing these issues.
He applauded the appointment of the Water and Sanitation Minister and eagerly anticipates his effective delivery on his mandate.
During his visit, Prof. Utsev inaugurated the Engineering Design Office of the Hadeija-Ja’amare River Basin Authority and conducted inspections at the Chalawa bottled water plant, as well as the Information and Debriefing center projects, which are set to be commissioned soon at the River Basin’s headquarters.
