Governor Malam Umar Namadi has restated his administration’s commitment to work with the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to end the menace of seasonal flooding and expand irrigation farming across Jigawa State.
Namadi made the pledge on Tuesday when HJRBDA’s Managing Director, Engr. Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, led the Authority’s management team on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Dutse.
The governor said the Hadejia Valley alone has 24,000 hectares of land, with 6,000 already developed and 18,000 more available for cultivation.
“By the time these 18,000 hectares are fully developed, the amount of land that will go into production will be amazing. Our people will have better means of livelihood,” Namadi said.
He explained that discussions had already been held with President Bola Tinubu on developing an additional 6,000 hectares “from international resources,” with a formal request submitted to the Minister of Water Resources.
“I am sure very soon, the Hadejia Valley will receive the necessary resources,” the governor assured.
Namadi also disclosed plans to revive 10 abandoned dams, expand irrigation in upland areas, and replicate the industrial borehole scheme piloted in Lalashi.
“We have taken steps to reactivate those 10 dams — two with the SPIN project, three with ACReSAL, and the remaining five by the state government. This will bring about 4,500 hectares into production and improve livelihoods,” he said.
The governor noted that the Lalashi borehole scheme had prevented more than 120 households from migrating in search of work, prompting plans to replicate it in Gajagarma, Dutse, and four local governments in Gumel Emirate.
On flooding, he described the challenge as “critical and worrisome,” revealing that the state had built 120 kilometres of embankments and cleared 70 kilometres of Typha grass to improve water flow.
Earlier, Engr. Bichi commended the governor for supporting the clearance of Typha grass along canals and restoring waterways.
“Your commitment has been instrumental in helping us restore the functionality of our waterways, thereby reducing flooding and enhancing water management for the benefit of our communities,” Bichi said.
He announced that HJRBDA planned to expand irrigation by 6,500 hectares in Jigawa, with presidential approval already secured for major projects such as the Greater Dutse Water Supply Scheme and repairs on the Hadejia Barrage.
Bichi said that with the current 5,440 hectares in operation, farmers were producing about 220,000 metric tonnes of crops — including wheat, rice, maize, tomato, and vegetables — valued at over ₦154.4 billion annually.
He added that the 2025 budget earmarks more than ₦28 billion for HJRBDA projects in Jigawa, in addition to ₦59 billion already allocated for the Greater Dutse Water Supply, small earth dams, erosion control, and new irrigation schemes.
