Farmers Count Losses as Illegal Canal Diversion Triggers Flooding in Jigawa
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – Farmers in Fatawali community of Miga Local Government Area, Jigawa State, are counting their losses after an illegal diversion of water from a major irrigation canal triggered flooding that submerged more than 100 hectares of cultivated farmland.
The Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Suleiman Rabiu-Bichi, disclosed this on Thursday during an unscheduled inspection visit to the affected area.
He said the authority received reports that some individuals unlawfully breached a section of the main canal to channel water to their farms.
According to Rabiu-Bichi, the action resulted in extensive flooding and disrupted the normal flow of water to the Hadejia Barrage Reservoir and other downstream users.
“This illegal act has caused significant damage to farmlands and threatens irrigation activities in the area,” he said.
The managing director directed the project manager to commence immediate repairs on the damaged section of the canal to restore water flow and prevent further losses to farmers.
He also ordered security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.
Rabiu-Bichi noted that the latest incident was similar to a canal breach recorded last year in Mashau village, also in Miga Local Government Area.
He warned that repeated acts of sabotage could undermine efforts aimed at improving irrigation services across the basin.
Bichi said the authority had invested heavily in maintaining critical infrastructure through routine desilting, canal maintenance, and the removal of invasive Typha grass.
The measures, he explained, have helped conserve about 11 million cubic metres of water and improved the system’s efficiency.
“The improvements have enabled us to reopen the North Gate secondary canal, allowing farmers to irrigate their lands during the dry season for the first time in many years,” Rabiu-Bichi stated, adding that the authority remains committed to supporting agricultural production.
He reaffirmed the agency’s determination to protect water resources and irrigation facilities, stressing that anyone found vandalising public infrastructure would face prosecution.
The Managing Director also pledged continued maintenance of irrigation assets to safeguard livelihoods and boost food production in the region.
