Gov Bala urges FG to revive Kafin Zaki dam project

… Says it will create job opportunities, ensure food security

The Federal Government of Nigeria has been reminded of the need to, as a matter of necessity, prioritise the resuscitation of the long-abandoned Kafin Zaki dam project in Bauchi State, as part of efforts to boost agriculture and livestock development in the North-East subregion.

The call was made by the State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, when the management of the Hadeja/ Jama’are River Basin Development Authority paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office on Wednesday.

The team was led by the Managing Director of the River Basin Authority, Rabi’u Suleman Bichi.

Bala emphasised that if finally completed, the dam project would not only create thousands of job opportunities but also enhance food security and irrigation activities across the benefiting communities.

The Governor, who described the Kafin Zaki Dam as a strategic agricultural infrastructure that has the potential to transform the economic fortunes of Bauchi and neighbouring states, urged the Authority to work closely with the state government to remove all bottlenecks hindering its actualisation.

He also stressed the need for the Authority to ensure equitable distribution of developmental projects across all states under its operational coverage, noting that such fairness would help foster regional integration, harmony, and a shared sense of progress among beneficiary communities.

According to him, Bauchi State is ready to collaborate on initiatives that promote irrigation, youth empowerment, and sustainable water resource management.

The Governor praised the authority for some of its interventions in the state, especially in comparison to other federal agencies.

He, however, expressed concern over abandoned and mismanaged projects, particularly the Galala Dam and other schemes affected by encroachment and sedimentation, which have worsened flooding in areas like Gamawa and Katagum. He emphasised the need to close the gaps.

While assuring the management of the state government’s full support, Bala Mohammed stressed that if serious engineering solutions are not adopted, some towns may be washed away.

He also called on the authority to open more offices in the state, assist in training extension workers, and collaborate more closely with Bauchi’s ministries and representatives to implement tangible, people-centred projects.

Earlier, Bichi disclosed that the Federal Government has earmarked N97 billion for various projects across the benefiting communities, including water resources management, irrigation development, and youth empowerment.

He commended the state government for complementing the Federal Government’s efforts in ensuring food security through the implementation of laudable agricultural development initiatives.

He listed several ongoing and planned projects in Bauchi State that include the rehabilitation of the Galala dam, the expansion of the Katagum Irrigation Project and the Home garden programs initiated by the first lady, amongst other projects.

He explained that the Galala Dam and Katagum projects alone are expected to develop over 11,000 hectares of irrigable land, which could transform Bauchi’s agricultural productivity.

Rabi’u, however, raised concern over encroachment on lands allocated for irrigation around Galala and appealed to the governor to assist in reclaiming the areas for continued development.

He also reiterated the Authority’s readiness to deepen collaboration with the Bauchi State Government in support of long-term solutions to food security, flooding, and improving rural livelihoods.

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