Bauchi Emir, Farmers Commend FG Over Completion of Nasaru-Galala Dam Road

By Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Emir of Ningi, Alhaji Haruna Dan-Yahaya, has commended the Federal Government for completing the 9-kilometre Nasaru-Galala Dam access road in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Dan-Yahaya led traditional rulers and members of the Water Users Association on a thank-you visit to the Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabi’u Suleman Bichi, at the authority’s headquarters in Kano on Tuesday.

Represented by the District Head of Nasaru, Alhaji Mas’ud At-Tahir, the emir said the completed road would improve irrigation farming, ease the transportation of farm produce and inputs, and boost economic activities in the area.

He also appreciated the authority for the ongoing construction of a 19.27-kilometre access road linking Nasaru to the Galala Irrigation Scheme.

The monarch further commended the Federal Government for plans to expand the irrigation area from 250 to 2,500 hectares, provide solar power for water pumps and rehabilitate the Galala Dam.

Responding, Bichi explained that the road project was initially scheduled for completion earlier but was delayed by heavy rainfall. He said the authority decided to commence the work after the rainy season to ensure proper execution.

On the Galala Dam rehabilitation, the HJRBDA managing director said engineers had been deployed to the site and work was progressing, with completion expected ahead of the next irrigation season.

Bichi also disclosed that the authority was working with the Bauchi State Government on plans to establish a larger irrigation scheme, including a proposed dam with a capacity of about 400 million cubic metres of water.

He said the projects were aimed at expanding irrigation farming, supporting food production and exploring opportunities for hydropower generation in Bauchi State.