Press release
The Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has given the state administration’s preparedness to support the Federal Government’s decision to revive the Sabke Dam irrigation project in Maiadua Local Government Area to ensure year-round farming activities.
Radda gave this assurance while conducting a Federal Government delegation led by the Director General of Budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, on an inspection tour of the Sabke Dam irrigation site to see it’s potential for enhancing agricultural productivity and water resources management, on Saturday 8th March, 2025.
He said: “The choice of Sabke, Jibia, and Zobe Dams for full utilization under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund is a welcome development, and I thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his determination to ensure every Nigerian has food to eat and at affordable prices.
“Northern Nigeria has vast land and adequate water resources, more than what is required for whole year-round farming activities. This initiative would engage our teeming youths and also reduce insecurity disturbing the north.”
He stated that Sabke Dam will serve as a catalyst for modern irrigation farming, reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture, and promote agribusiness development.
Earlier, the Director General of Budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi, explained that the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s measures to address food security in Nigeria.
“The delegation led by the State Governor has inspected the Dam, irrigation site, as well as other supporting facilities, which is the newest project across the country,” said Kurfi.
He added, “On account of its newness, the Federal Government in collaboration with the State Government would spend less to start organizing farmers into growers, commercial farmers and other stakeholders, financiers, wheat and rice millers all together to maximize utilization of the water body established about eight years now.”
Kurfi, however noted, “Nothing could be done until feasibility studies are carried out to have a clear estimated cost of the project for full utilization.”
While receiving the delegation, the Project Manager of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, Mallam Ibrahim Mohammed Ruma, explained that the Sabke Dam project, handed over to the Authority in 2018, “has the storage capacity of thirty point six million cubic meters and dispensing capacity of 495 cubic meters per hour.”
Ruma further stated, “The water body has in place two giant power generating sets with each having capacity of about one point two KVA and a solar powered mini grid.”
He however pointed out that “the land acquired for the irrigation site of the Dam had not been adequately compensated while the solar grid needs to be upgraded.”
It is important to note that the Sabke Sam has the potential to significantly enhance food production, support local farmers and drive economic growth in line with the Building Your Future agricultural transformation agenda.
The high-powered delegation at the site include, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mamman Nasir; Principla Private Secretary to the Governor, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Turaji and some of the Governor’s personal aides.
Members from the Federal Government delegation were the MD/CEO, Ministry of Finance Incorporation, Dr. Armstrong Takang; the Executive Director, Agriculture Services of Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, Alhaji Muntaka Badaru Jikamshi; Representative, Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN),
Engr. Ibrahim Aliyu Kuki and the Managing Director, Nigeria Agricultural Development Fund, Muhammad Abu Ibrahim, reaffirmed dedication to ensuring farmers have access to the necessary resources to maximize agricultural productivity.
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