The management of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority has ordered the immediate repair of a breached section of the main canal at Fatawali community in Miga LGA of Jigawa.

Its managing director, Suleiman Rabiu-Bichi, gave the directive on Thursday during an unscheduled inspection visit to the vandalised canal.

He said the authority received reports that some individuals unlawfully breached the canal to divert water to their farmlands, resulting in flooding that submerged more than 100 hectares of cultivated lands.

Mr Rabiu-Bichi said the action disrupted water flow to the Hadejia Barrage Reservoir and downstream users, threatening irrigation activities and water supply in the area.

He directed the project manager to commence immediate repairs on the damaged section of the canal and engage security agencies to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.

The managing director recalled a similar incident that occurred last year at Mashau village, also in Miga LGA.

Mr Rabiu-Bichi said the authority has intensified maintenance efforts, including removing invasive Typha grass, routine desilt exercise, and canal maintenance through direct operations and community participation.

He said the measures improved water management in the basin and conserved about 11 million cubic metres of water, thus enhancing the system’s water-carrying capacity.

The improvement, he said, enabled the reopening of the North Gate secondary canal, allowing farmers to irrigate their farmlands during the dry season for the first time in several years.

Mr Rabiu-Bichi also visited Trimming Radio Station, a farmer radio initiative supervised by the authority, and directed the management to sustain programmes that educate farmers on modern agricultural practices and irrigation technologies.

He urged the station to intensify awareness campaigns on innovations introduced by the authority, particularly drip irrigation and greenhouse farming techniques, to boost productivity.

The managing director also inspected irrigation lands allegedly encroached upon by unknown persons, with a view to reclaiming the areas and ensuring transparent engagement with local farming communities.

Mr Rabiu-Bichi reaffirmed his commitment to protect water resources and critical irrigation infrastructure, warning that saboteurs would be prosecuted.

He pledged continued maintenance of irrigation facilities to safeguard livelihoods and support food production across the basin.

(NAN)