President Muhammadu Buhari Commissions N9bn Irrigation Project In Jigawa

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the N9 billion Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme (HVIS) rehabilitation project in Auyo local government area of Jigawa State.

At the ceremony yesterday, Buhari said the project was part of the fulfilment of his campaign promises which included providing a more enabling environment for modern agriculture practice for achieving food security.

He said the project was executed under the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMMING) programme, which was supported by the World Bank.

“I personally flagged off this project in 2018 for the rehabilitation of existing gravity irrigation area, involving about 5,346 hectares, and expansion of about 778 hectares as well as the rehabilitation of the barrage, I thank God for achieving this goal,” he said.

Buhari charged farmers to embrace modern technology for improving their output for food security, industrialisation and development.

During his visit to Jigawa, Buhari commissioned the Malam Alu Ago Allied Company and unveiled the tallest flag in Nigeria at Birninkudu local government area of the state.

“I’m impressed with the structures and modern farming system seen at Malam Alu Farms, I am appealing to other wealthy people to also invest in agriculture for enhancing our food security and jobs creation,” he said.

The chairman of Malam Alu Farms, Hon. Faruk Adamu Aliyu said the farm was established under Buhari’s fertiliser initiative project.

Aliyu said he collected N800 million loan from the CBN for the project, which has employed hundreds of workers and also contributed to the national food basket.