MD Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Orders Repair of Vandalised Canal in Jigawa

The Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), , has ordered the immediate repair of a breached section of the authority’s main canal in Fatawali area of Miga Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

Bichi gave the directive during an unscheduled inspection visit to the affected site following reports that some individuals unlawfully breached the canal to divert water to their farmlands, resulting in flooding of more than 100 hectares of cultivated land.

The managing director said the action disrupted the smooth flow of water to the Hadejia Barrage Reservoir and downstream users, posing a threat to irrigation activities and water supply in the area.

He stressed the need for urgent intervention to restore normal operations and prevent further damage to irrigation infrastructure and agricultural production.

Bichi directed the project manager to commence immediate repairs on the damaged section of the canal and engage security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the act.

He recalled that a similar incident occurred last year in Mashau village, also in Miga Local Government Area, but was promptly contained through management intervention.

According to him, the authority has since intensified maintenance efforts, including the removal of invasive Typha grass and routine desilting and maintenance of canals and downstream rivers through both direct operations and community participation.

The managing director said the measures had significantly improved water management within the basin, leading to the conservation of about 11 million cubic metres of water and enhancing the system’s water-carrying capacity.

He added that the improvement enabled the reopening of the North Gate secondary canal, allowing farmers to irrigate their farmlands during the dry season for the first time in several years.

In a related development, Bichi visited the Trimming Radio Station, a farmers’ radio initiative supervised by the authority, where he directed management to sustain programmes aimed at educating farmers on modern agricultural practices and irrigation technologies.

He urged the station to intensify awareness campaigns on innovations introduced by the authority, particularly drip irrigation and greenhouse farming techniques, to boost agricultural productivity.

The managing director also inspected irrigation lands allegedly encroached upon by unknown persons, with a view to reclaiming the affected areas and ensuring transparent engagement with local farming communities.

Bichi reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to protecting water resources and critical irrigation infrastructure, warning that anyone found sabotaging public facilities would face the full weight of the law.

He also pledged continued maintenance of irrigation facilities to safeguard agricultural livelihoods and support food production across the basin.