Engr. Dr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, the Managing Director, Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority Kano (Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi) states with other Executive Directors , Hon.(Dr) Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso ED Finance, Alhaji Tijjani Isa ED Planning and Design, Hajiya Zainab Gamawa ED Agricultural Services and Engr. Datti Abdulkadir ED Engineering were appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 18th December – 2024 and they officially assumed office on 18th April – 2025.
HJRBDA like other River Basin Development Authorities in the country, is a Federal Government Agency tasked with responsibility for the development and management of water resources, irrigation, and other socio- economic activities.
To understand the agency after assuming office Engr. Dr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and his management team embarked on familiarization tour of major Dams across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States. During the visits, Bichi meets with the State Governors , Traditional rulers and other stake holders. The general discussions centred on food security, protection against floods, modern farming technics, increase on hectres of land for farming etc.
It was during these tours , Bichi became aware of faulty pipelines and water storage facilities that were not functioning for years. He will immediately give approval for their repairs.
In just about period of nine months after assuming office, Bichi was able to bring positive transformation through HJRBDA in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States. Impact of Bichi leadership was felt from workers, farmers and communities across his jurisdiction.
Among the on- going initiatives under Rabiu Suleiman Bichi includes :
Introducing new innovations to make Tiga Dam more productive through providing electricity, Fish farming and irrigation farming. This same approach and method was applied to other Dams in HJRBDA jurisdiction.
On going work to make Tudunwada Galala, Ningi, Bauchi State road accessible to boost farming , easy transportation of farm produce and economic activities in the areas around the Dam.
On going expansion works at Hadejia Barrage so as to boost irrigation farming and increase in food production.
Inspecting and monitoring of provision of forty bore holes to supply Dutse and environs with drinking water.
Inspecting and monitoring of installation of modern farming equipments for irrigation farming in Chiromawa/Kadawa, Kano state which is about ninety hectres.
Works on Jahun Drainage and erosion control projects, Jigawa state.
On going construction of Dam in Malikawa Garu and opening of 6,000 hectres of farmland.
Curbing erosion in Rimayen Rake to protect Kau Kau community.
On going construction of Dam in Dunbulum in Tsanyawa, Kano state.
Repair and stoppage of flood in Miga Mashau, Jigawa state.
Continuation of removal of Typha grasses which causes flood and don’t allow water to reach farmlands along canals and water ways in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
Continuation of works providing communities with industrial bore holes in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
Introducing of drip irrigation systems and small farm technologies.
Collaboration with other government agencies ie strategic partnership with North West Development Commission (NWDC) to transform agricultural productivity across the North West region.
Promoting and propagating Every Home a Garden across HJRBDA jurisdiction.
Green House trainings for youths across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
Deployment of about 500 youths Extension workers to train and educate farmers.
To build three new Dams in Bichi Local Government, Kano state.
HJRBDA under the leadership of Bichi received letter of recommendation by Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the highest MDA generating revenue in Kano state.
Settling long years of dispute among Water Users Association (WUA) across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
Helping to boost security, HJRBDA completed and handover Civil Defense Training School in Gwarzo, Kano state.
Installation of bore holes in Barracks ie MOPOL Barrack in Kano to help in providing safe drinking water to our gallant officers.
Governors of Jigawa and Bauchi States promise their commitments to work with HJRBDA under leadership of Rabiu Suleiman Bichi as they trust his ability and experience in water resources management to boost irrigation farming in their states.
There are many more achievements under Bichi’s leadership in just nine months that space will not allow us to mention.
On the political side, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi was the Director General of Gawuna/ Garo, Tinubu/ Shettima Campaign Council in Kano state. Even after assuming office, he makes it a duty upon himself to continue to propagate achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at every occasion he speaks or interviewed by journalists. Even when traveling through on going projects, he stops to encourage workers on site and report progress to the public.
Bichi also received thousands of decamped opposition party members to APC especially those from NNPP Kwankwasiyya.
Bichi is a dedicated official and party man that works round the clock for development of HJRBDA and Nigeria.
In summary, Bichi achievements are in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security.
Amb. Shehu Mustapha Chaji writes from Kano.
