Insecurity: Farmers abandon Goronyo irrigation site in Sokoto
managarciya
The Managing Director of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), Alhaji Abubakar Malam, has said worsening insecurity around major irrigation facilities, especially the Goronyo Dam, has forced staff, farmers and contractors to abandon the area, severely affecting irrigation activities and agricultural output.
Malam disclosed this while briefing journalists after a courtesy visit by officials of the Sokoto State Ministry of Water Resources and other stakeholders.
He said the meeting was aimed at strengthening collaboration between the Authority and the state government on water supply, irrigation and dam management.
According to him, the Goronyo Dam is a critical source of potable water for Sokoto State and supports thousands of farmers, making effective coordination between the Authority and the state government essential.
He identified insecurity as the most serious challenge confronting the Authority, noting that contractors working on the Goronyo irrigation scheme withdrew from the site around June after pulling out their private security, forcing farmers and SRRBDA staff to also leave.
“Insecurity has made it impossible for people to stay there. Even the officer in charge of regulating water release now operates from Sokoto city because he cannot live near the dam,” he said, warning that the situation poses grave risks to water supply and public safety.
Malam revealed that the Authority has about 50 housing units in its Goronyo staff colony, which it is willing to hand over to the state government for use by security personnel to restore confidence in the area.
He also disclosed plans to construct about 15 earth dams across Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara and Kebbi states to boost irrigation and create jobs, while efforts are underway to revive abandoned schemes such as Shagari, Bakalori and Dutsinma.
The Managing Director further called for the release of funds paid by farmers through Water Users Associations, lamenting that money remitted to the Treasury Single Account has not been returned for the maintenance of irrigation facilities.
