The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ecological Project Office (EPO) under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), is set to revive the irrigation system, water channels, and washed-away small bridges in Kano South Senatorial District.
The initiative, backed by Senator Suleiman Abdurahaman Kawu Sumaila, as gathered by WorldClass247News, is aimed at addressing the ecological challenges bedeviling the area.
Dr. Aishetu Gogo Ndapho, Permanent Secretary of the EPO, disclosed this during recent assessment visit to key sites, including the Challawa-Goje Dam in Karaye, Tiga Dam, a washed-away bridge in Bebeji, and the Kafinchiri Dam in Garko Local Government Area.
Accompanied by experts from the EPO, representatives from the Hadeja Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, consultants, community leaders, and other stakeholders, she
explained that the assessment followed advocacy efforts led by Senator Kawu Sumaila and other prominent Kano leaders, who lobbied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the restoration of Kano South’s irrigation system.
Senator Kawu had raised the matter in the Senate, receiving bipartisan support from lawmakers in both chambers of the National Assembly.
“The Ecological Project Office is working across the 36 states and the FCT to address ecological issues such as land erosion, flooding, and damage to irrigation systems and bridges,” Dr. Ndapho said.
“We are here to revive the irrigation system in Kano South and engage with community leaders and stakeholders on how to boost agricultural productivity in the region.” She added.
Recognizing Kano South as the “food basket” of the state, she added, “This project will help ensure the region can continue to feed the state and beyond. We are committed to preventing disasters like the Alou Dam collapse in Maiduguri from occurring here.”
The restoration effort, was observed to have underscored the federal government’s commitment to improving agriculture and addressing ecological challenges in Kano South, ensuring sustainable development for the region’s communities.