The dream of farmers to sustain all-year-round production with expected bumper yields is facing an eminent threat, with no less than 21 dams already in a state of disrepair.

Besides, the defective condition of the majority of the dams, constructed more than 40 years ago, has been abandoned by successive governments, which is capable of frustrating food security in the country.

Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf, who disclosed the ugly state of the dams in the state, explained the frantic efforts of the present administration to fix the irrigation system to meet both the agricultural and human needs of the population.

Gov. Yusuf, represented by deputy Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, made the revelation when he received Minister of Water and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumum Utsev, on courtesy at the government house in Kano.

The governor hinted that his administration has taken a giant step to resuscitate the various sources of water works and irrigation systems in a bid to address the acute supply of drinking water.

Although, the Governor revealed the efforts is already yielding positive impact especially on bumper harvest of farm produces and supply of drinkable water to 55 per cent of the population, he however stressed that, the state of Dams in Kano remain a major threat to food security in the state.

” Successive governments have constructed about 21 dams in Kano to with the intention of boosting irrigation farming that will provide all year round farming and also creat empowerment opportunity in the agricultural value chain as well as catering for drinking water.

” However, most of these Dams are not only old but technically and structurally defective. Though we have tried to make repairs within our limited resources, for proper restructure, we need the attention of the federal government to turn the Dams around”.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Utsev, had emphasised the federal government’s commitment to ensuring adequate supply of water to boost agricultural production and food security in the country.

The Minister said he was in Kano on first hand inspection on Federal government projects on water, access challenges and define proper means to reactivate the projects.

“We are here to access the level of work especially on River Basin projects. Our vision is to strengthen capacity and increase funding on the project to ensure effective discharge of required responsibility. We are also seeking collaboration with state government in the area of irrigation, Dam and other water scheme management”. the Minister noted.
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