Bauchi Governor Reiterates Call for Resuscitation of Kafin Zaki Dam

The Federal Government has once again been urged to prioritise the resuscitation of the long-abandoned Kafin Zaki Dam project in Bauchi State as a strategic step toward boosting agriculture and livestock development across the North-East subregion.

Governor Bala Mohammed made the appeal on Wednesday while receiving the management team of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, led by its Managing Director, Rabi’u Suleman Bichi, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Bauchi.

The Governor emphasised that the completion of the Kafin Zaki Dam would not only provide thousands of job opportunities but also significantly enhance food security and irrigation activities in Bauchi and neighbouring states.

Describing the dam as a critical agricultural infrastructure, Bala Mohammed called on the Authority to collaborate closely with the state government to eliminate all bottlenecks impeding its actualisation. He stressed the need for fairness in the distribution of developmental projects across all states within the River Basin’s operational jurisdiction to promote regional integration and inclusive growth.

“Bauchi is fully prepared to support initiatives that promote irrigation, youth empowerment, and sustainable water resource management,” the governor affirmed.

While commending the Authority’s ongoing interventions, he also voiced concern over abandoned and poorly managed projects, particularly the Galala Dam, which he said had suffered encroachment and sedimentation—factors contributing to increased flooding in areas like Gamawa and Katagum. He warned that without urgent engineering solutions, some towns risk being washed away.

He further urged the Authority to open more offices within the state, collaborate with relevant ministries, and support the training of extension workers to ensure efficient and people-centred project implementation.

In his remarks, Managing Director Rabi’u Suleman Bichi revealed that the Federal Government has earmarked N97 billion for various projects in beneficiary communities, with focus areas including irrigation, youth empowerment, and water resource development.

He praised the Bauchi State Government’s complementary efforts to boost food security through impactful agricultural programmes and highlighted key ongoing projects in the state—such as the rehabilitation of the Galala Dam, expansion of the Katagum Irrigation Project, and home garden initiatives spearheaded by the First Lady.

Bichi disclosed that the Galala and Katagum projects alone are expected to deliver over 11,000 hectares of irrigable land, with immense potential to transform the region’s agricultural productivity. He, however, expressed concern over land encroachment in Galala and appealed to the state government for support in reclaiming such lands to allow for uninterrupted development.

He reiterated the Authority’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with the Bauchi State Government in addressing long-term challenges around food security, flooding, and rural development