From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar has facilitated the rehabilitation of the Bakolori Dam in Zamfara State as part of efforts to boost agricultural production, strengthen food security and restore dry-season farming in the state.
The intervention is expected to benefit more than 80,000 registered and unregistered irrigation farmers affected by years of deterioration at the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme.
The scheme has suffered from faulty irrigation gates, siltation and blocked secondary drainage channels, which have disrupted water supply and hampered farming activities across several hectares of farmland.
The rehabilitation initiative, facilitated by Yari, who represents Zamfara West Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, includes the immediate repair of a faulty water gate, servicing of another operational gate and desilting of between 20 and 30 secondary drainage channels.
The intervention also provides for the assessment of Anka, Bukkuyum and NATO dams to identify areas requiring repairs and other remedial measures.
In addition, Water Users Associations under the scheme are expected to receive agricultural support equipment, including fertilisers, tractors, mini-tractors, power tillers, combine harvesters, and semi-mechanised and motorised transplanters.
Arrangements have also been made to ensure proper maintenance and responsible utilisation of the equipment.
Speaking on the intervention, the Project Manager of the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, Alhaji Umar Adamu, described it as timely, noting that it would help address longstanding challenges affecting irrigation farming.
Adamu disclosed that the intervention followed a request dated October 4, 2026, from the Apex Water Users Association, after which Senator Yari directed K.K. Technologies Limited to commence immediate rehabilitation work.
He expressed optimism that the project, upon completion, would restore adequate water supply to thousands of hectares of farmland and increase rice production in the area.
According to him, the rehabilitation would also help restore Bakolori’s position as a major agricultural hub and food-producing centre in Zamfara State and neighbouring areas.
Adamu further disclosed that Senator Yari had promised to engage the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to pursue a lasting solution to the persistent siltation problem affecting the dam.
He thanked the senator for the intervention and pledged to mobilise irrigation farmers in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Bakolori Water Users Association, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar Marafa, said the intervention would provide relief to more than 80,000 farmers, including registered and unregistered members of the association.
Marafa said the initiative demonstrated the senator’s responsiveness to the concerns of his constituents and his commitment to addressing challenges affecting their livelihoods.
He also pledged to work with members of the association to support Senator Yari in discharging his responsibilities as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The rehabilitation of the Bakolori Dam is expected to improve irrigation infrastructure, expand dry-season farming opportunities, increase agricultural productivity and contribute to food security in Zamfara State.
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