The Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority ( HJRBDA) under the leadership of Engr. Dr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi has the largest functional irrigation schemes among Nigeria’s 12 River Basin Authorities. And since assuming office with his key management figures like Hon. Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso (Executive Director Finance and Administration) Bichi has repeatedly said HJRBDA’s reforms align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security.
As Nigerians celebrate three years of reforms under the banner of Renewed Hope Agenda, from the part of HJRBDA under the leadership of Rabiu Suleiman Bichi made significant achievements in the areas of irrigation, flood control, agriculture and food security.
Bichi in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security has promoted expanded irrigation, dams rehabilitation, youth agricultural empowerment, canal desilting and measures against flooding and Typha grass invasion which all fall under Renewed Hope Agenda’s food security objectives.
HJRBDA activities under Engr. Bichi align closely with the President’s food security goals and help massively in boosting agricultural production across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States. And generally serves as a key pillar in Northern Nigeria in executing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security.
Successes and achievements recorded under Rabiu Suleiman Bichi’s leadership of HJRBDA across its core jurisdiction – Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States has become a central point in demonstrating the tangible dividends of democracy in the region.
Some of the milestones achieved under Bichi tenure that are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security are :-
* Massive Dam Rehabilitations and Water efficiency to support President Tinubu’s directive on expanding all year round farming, Bichi’s management has driven the rehabilitation and expansion of 16 critical dams across Kano state including the historic Tiga, Goje and Kafin Chiri Dams.
* Revives 40 years old Dam project in Kafin Zaki, Bauchi State.
* On going construction of Dam in Malikawa Garu and opening of 6000 hectares of farmland.
* On going construction construction of Dam in Dunbulum, Tsanyawa, Kano state.
* Flagg off of the Bela Dam project in Bichi, Kano state.
* Works on Jahun Drainage and Erosion Control projects, Jahun, Jigawa state.
* Inspecting and monitoring of installation of 40 bore holes to supply Dutse , Jigawa state with drinking water.
* Advance plans to establish 8 megawatts to generate electricity alongside irrigation and fish farming at Tiga Dam.
* Declaration of a ” State of Emergency” on Typha grass which has been blocking water flow to remote farmlands and causes floods. Bichi administration introduced an aggressive year round clearing progamme. This initiative effectively restored reliable water access to thousands of downstream farmers while mitigating perennial flood disasters in communities across Jigawa and Bauchi States.
* Training the next generation of farmers which align with Renewed Hope Agenda focus on job creation and youth empowerment. The HJRBDA established a modern conference and training centre in it’s Kano head office. Under Bichi the agency initiated a structured plan to train 5000 young people in contemporary agricultural practices such as modern drip irrigation systems, greenhouse farming etc with the long goal of fostering thousands of self sufficient agricultural entrepreneurs .
* Supporting the “Every Home a Garden” campaign. The agency has thrown it’s institutional weight behind First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s Every Home a Garden movement. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi has helped domesticate this environmental and dietary sustainability framework across the North West and North East.
* Infrastructures and rural security interventions, beyond water resources management the HJRBDA has integrated infrastructural support into its mandate to facilitate the movement of farm produce. This includes ongoing access road construction around Tudunwada Galala Dam network in Ningi, Bauchi State. Also in improving rural security for farmers ie completion of Civil Defense Training School in Gwarzo, Kano state.
* Continuation of works providing communities with industrial boreholes in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
* Collaboration with other government agencies to transform agricultural productivity across the Northwest region.
* Inspecting and monitoring of installation of modern farming equipments for irrigation farming across HJRBDA’s jurisdiction.
* Launching of Pilot Drip irrigation schemes in Kano and Jigawa states.
* Successful execution of 12 critical water projects across Bayero University Kano campuses.
* Peace and harmony, HJRBDA under Bichi succeeded in settling long years of dispute among Water Users Associations (WUA) across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.
Performance of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) , Kano under leadership of Rabiu Suleiman Bichi is promoting and strengthening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security as it continues to invest in economic living hood of Arewa and Nigeria’s populace.
By transforming the HJRBDA into a highly productive agency, Rabiu Suleiman Bichi’s administration track record provides better platform to reinforce President Tinubu’s mandate in Kano, Jigawa , Bauchi and broader North ahead of future election.
Shehu Mustapha Chaji writes from Kano.
