By Kunle Sanni-
The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of the Bela Dam and launched a pilot Kaukau Drip Irrigation Scheme in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State.
The projects were inaugurated on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen water management and boost agricultural productivity in the state.
Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony in Bela community, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, said the Bela Dam project represents a significant step in the Federal Government’s drive toward sustainable water resources development and food security.
According to the minister, the multipurpose dam, with a storage capacity of 775,000 cubic metres, is expected to address recurring flooding in the area while supporting irrigation, domestic water supply, fisheries, livestock production, and other agricultural activities.
Utsev noted that when completed, the project would improve livelihoods, enhance food production, and create economic opportunities for residents of the host community, while also promoting climate resilience and sustainable agriculture.
He called on members of the community to cooperate with contractors and protect the facility to ensure its long-term success.
The minister also commissioned a pilot drip irrigation scheme at Kaukau, where he participated in the symbolic planting of crops alongside the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Engr. Suleiman Yusuf Bichi, and technical directors from the ministry.
Bichi, in his remarks, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation for their support, describing the initiatives as key to achieving food sufficiency and strengthening agricultural production across the country.
