Federal Ministry of Water Resources Selects Jigawa State for World Bank-Supported Power and Irrigation Project
September 13th 2024
By Abdulhamid Sani Dutse
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources has selected Jigawa State to participate in the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project, a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at enhancing power generation and irrigation farming across the country. The project is set to commence in January 2025.
Led by Engineer Hauwa Mohammed Sadiq, a delegation from the ministry met with Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, to assess the state’s readiness for the project. Following a detailed evaluation and site visits, Engineer Hauwa confirmed that Jigawa is the second state to meet the necessary criteria for inclusion.
Governor Namadi expressed his gratitude, emphasizing Jigawa’s commitment to the project. “We are honored to be among the first states selected. Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, contributing 48% to our GDP and employing 85% of our population,” he stated.He also highlighted his administration’s efforts to mitigate flooding in the state through river dredging, which aims to reduce flood risks and encourage both dry and wet-season farming. Governor Namadi reiterated the government’s dedication to advancing agriculture, which will be significantly boosted by the upcoming project.
The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project is expected to enhance dry-season farming, improve food production, and stimulate economic growth, both for Jigawa State and Nigeria as a whole.
The Jigawa State Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Ibrahim Garba Hannun Giwa, praised the visiting team and pledged the state’s full cooperation in supporting federal initiatives that promote sustainable development.
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