The Managing Director of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), Abubakar Malam, said a contract has been awarded for the construction of fifteen earth dams in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara states to improve farming activities.
Abubakar Malam stated this while briefing journalists shortly after a courtesy visit by the management of the Sokoto State Water Board and other critical partners in his office in Sokoto.
According to him, the fifteen dams are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in achieving food security and boosting the irrigation system in the country.
He also noted that the contract for the irrigation scheme in Bakalori, Dutsimma, Shagari among others if completed would go a long way in creating more job opportunities among the teeming population in the area.
He said the meeting was aimed at strengthening effective collaboration between the agency and the Sokoto state government on water supply, irrigation and dam management.
“Naturally, we just have to understand our working relationship and how best we can explore more ways to assist each other.
“It is also to see how our collaboration can give the required support for the success of our activities,” Abubakar Malam said.
He noted that the Goronyo Dam is a critical source of portable water for Sokoto State and supports thousands of farmers.
He added that the Goronyo dam serves the interests of farmers and the Sokoto State government and its environs, hence proper coordination would help to achieve the purpose it was meant for.
Abubakar Malam further revealed that the Agency has about 50 housing units in its Goronyo staff colony, which the agency is willing to hand over to the state government for use by security personnel to restore confidence of farmers in the area.
He also urged the state government to come in and provide more support towards addressing security challenges and encouraging more farmers to return to their farms in the area.
He sought government’s timely release of funds paid by farmers through Water Users Associations, lamenting that money remitted to the Treasury Single Account has not been returned for the maintenance of irrigation facilities.
The Managing Director reiterated the agency’s commitment to revive and expand the irrigation system in the coming 2026 with the support of the catchment states and the federal government.