Farmers in Jigawa state have faulted the management of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority HJRBDA for the huge loss suffered as a result of this year’s flooding.
The group of farmers demanded an immediate assessment of the damages caused by the flood and pay them compensation to sustain their production.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, the Special Adviser to Governor Badaru Abubakar on Media content, Malam Habibu Ringim said, the access water released by the authority had contributed in worsening the flooding around Hadejia river which led to unprecedented lost of farm lands and houses in 11 local government ara of the state.
According to him, in a letter signed by the Managing Director, Hadejia Jamare Mamun Da’u Aliyu and addressed to the Secretary Jigawa State Government on 9th August 2022 alerted the government and the public on their plan to release access water from Tiga Dam.
He further explained that the flooding that occurred between August and September may not be unconnected to the release of the access water by the Authority.
Malam Habibu Ringim pointed out that, the damaged caused by the flooding was huge and farmers cannot bear the lost alone.
He therefore urged the need for Hadejia Jamare River Basin Development Authority to pay compensation to the victims.
He called on people of the state including civil societies to join hands in demanding for the HDJRBDA look at the predicament of the farmers and pay compensation for their loss.
The S.A however expressed dismay on the nonchalant attitude exhibited by the management of the authority in managing the river, dams and other irrigation facilities.
He noted that the management for reasons best known to them was denying farmers enough water during the dry season farming which sabotaged the federal government’s food policy while discharging the access water during raining season.
Habibu Ringim called on president Muhammadu Buhari to reconstitute the management of HJRBDA by bringing competent hands who can manage it effectively.
Reports shows that, Jigawa state is the worst hit by flood this year, with over 140 reported deaths, 100,000 people displaced, hundreds hectares of farm lands destroyed and many public infrastructures.
COV/USMAN MZ