By Aminu Garko
Kano, Sen. Kawu Sumaila and Rep. Kabiru Rurum have facilitated the approval of a N90 billion project for the construction and rehabilitation of the Tiga Bridge in the southern part of Kano State.
The funds will also be used for the development of 2,500 hectares of irrigable land to support agricultural activities in the area.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority has paid an inspection visit to the Renewed Hope Agenda projects on food security in Kano South Senatorial District.
The projects were presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Senator Kawu Sumaila and Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum. Under the supervision of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority and with funding from the Ecological Fund, the initiative includes the reconstruction of the failed Tiga-Rurum Bridge, as well as irrigation and erosion control infrastructure.
It also covers the development of additional irrigable schemes at Challawa in Karaye, and at Kafin Chiri, Gwamma, Gurjiyar Sarki and Tsambaki in Karaye, Sumaila and Bunkure local government areas.
In addition, hundreds of tube wells are being constructed to expand irrigation coverage across the Kano South Senatorial District.
The Managing Director of the authority, Engineer Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, said the project would be executed in line with approved engineering standards to ensure durability and long-term impact.
He said the initiative was aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and improving water management across the Kano South axis.
Bichi added that the dam component of the project was expected to supply about two billion cubic metres of water to support irrigation activities on the newly developed farmlands.
According to him, the project would significantly enhance farming activities, ensure year-round cultivation, and contribute to food security and economic development in the region.
He said work would commence immediately with preliminary structural activities and land filling before the onset of the rainy season.
Bichi assured that the authority would maintain strict supervision and continuous monitoring to ensure adherence to quality standards and timely delivery.
He commended the Federal Government for providing the necessary funding, describing the intervention as a critical step towards addressing infrastructural gaps and strengthening agricultural capacity in the state.
The project is expected to open up vast agricultural opportunities for farmers in Kano South, while improving transportation and connectivity within the benefiting communities.