Irrigation farming: Kano govt begs FG to repair its dams

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

Kano state government has appealed to the Federal Government to repair some dams that have developed faults in the state.
The state governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, made the appeal when he received the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Professor Joseph, Terlumun Utsev who was at the government house on courtesy visit during a familiarization visit to the state.
According governor Yusuf, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, the state has 21 dams used for irrigation farming.
However, according to Abdulsalam, some of the dams are in dire need of urgent repair to avoid flooding that could cause loss of lives and properties.
He disclosed that the state government had noticed that some of the dams had developed cracks, blockage and other problems that are in need of urgent attention, adding that it had constituted a committee to that effect.
He therefore appealed to the Minister to support the government in repairing the dams, which according to him contribute to the economic development of the state through irrigation farming that offers job opportunities to the populace.
“Kano has 21 dams that help in boosting irrigation farming that contribute to the economic development of the state and provide job opportunities.
“That is why the government of Abba Yusuf swung into action to repair the dams in order to boost agricultural activities. Some of the dams including Tiga, Kaura Goje, Kaka, Thomas ‘, among others, we have already formed a committee for their repair.
“We therefore appealed to the federal government to help us repair all the 21 dams because some of them had been established for more than five decades,” he said.
In his remarks, the Minister sought collaboration with state governments, including Kano towards achieving water supply and agricultural development in the country.
Utsev noted that there are several water and agricultural schemes that Kano is enjoying, adding that the state is key to the ministry’s goals of providing portable and steady water supply in the whole country.
“We also have facilities in Kano state. So, in the course of collaboration, we appeal to the Kano state government to ensure safety of those facilities.
“We are here to seek collaboration and partnership with state the government to see how we can provide portable water for people of that state and the nation as a whole.
“We have agricultural schemes, water supply scheme in Kano with different facilities in Kano. We are looking forward to see how these facilities are maintained and safe,”he said.