From Abdul Ardo
Agriculture is the backbone of North East transformation in Nigeria. In view of the importance attached to it, the Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed has called on the Hadeja-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority to prioritize the construction of the comotose Kafin Zaki Dam project.
The appeal by Governor Bala was made during a courtesy visit by the Authority’s Managing Director, Engr. Rabi’u Suleman Bichi, and his delegation to the Government House in Bauchi.
Governor Bala described the Kafin Zaki Dam as a game-changing agricultural infrastructure with the potentiality of creating thousands of jobs across Bauchi and neighboring states which will help to enhance food security through expanded irrigation,
– Boost livestock production and rural livelihoods.
Governor Bala emphasized that full implementation of the project could transform the region’s economic fortunes, urging the Authority to collaborate closely with the state government to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks which have been bedeviling the project for years.
A Call for fairness and Regional Integration
Beyond the dam itself, Governor Bala stressed the importance of equitable distribution of developmental projects across all states under the Authority’s jurisdiction. According to him, fairness in project allocation would:
– Promote regional harmony
– Strengthen inter-state collaboration
– Foster a shared sense of progress among beneficiary communities
He reaffirmed Bauchi State’s commitment to partnering on initiatives that support irrigation, youth empowerment, and sustainable water resource management. Federal Government’s Investment in Water and Agriculture.
In his remarks, Engr. Rabi’u Suleman Bichi revealed that the Federal Government has allocated over ₦90 billion for projects in communities served by the River Basin Authority.
These projects include:
– Water resource management
– Irrigation development
– Youth empowerment programs
Engr. Rabi’u commended the Bauchi State Government for its proactive role in complementing federal efforts to achieve food security through impactful agricultural initiatives.
The Kafin Zaki Dam Project has been on the drawing board for decades, with repeated starts and stops due to political and administrative challenges.
If revived, it could
– Irrigate over 125,000 hectares of farmland
– Generate hydroelectric power
– Support fisheries and biofuel production
– Mitigate flooding in vulnerable areas like Gamawa and Katagum
Governor Bala’s renewed advocacy for the Kafin Zaki Dam signals a strategic shift toward sustainable development in Bauchi State. With federal backing and regional cooperation, the long-awaited project could finally become a reality—unlocking vast economic potential for the entire Northeast.
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