The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, has officially handed over consultancy services for the establishment and strengthening of Water Users Associations (WUAs) in the Gari Irrigation Project, covering Kano and Jigawa States, to OMADAC Engineering Limited.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, the handover ceremony, held at the Gari Irrigation Project site in Jigawa State, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance agricultural productivity, improve water management, and advance food security.
This development signals the transition to a new phase of the project, focused on sustainability, community ownership, and capacity building. Under the new arrangement, OMADAC Engineering Limited will manage and technically strengthen the Water Users Associations within the Gari Irrigation Scheme, ensuring efficient irrigation operations and equitable water distribution among farmers.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Engr. (Mrs.) Esther Oyeronke Oluniyi, FNSE—represented by Engr. Victor Ojiako—commended the collaboration between the Ministry, the Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), and local communities. She emphasized that the initiative would transform agricultural livelihoods, strengthen economic resilience, and boost food security across the region.
The Project Coordinator, Mrs. Florence Oyakhirome, described the handover as a major landmark in Nigeria’s journey toward sustainable agricultural development. She highlighted the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to improving water resource management and promoting community participation.
“When communities take ownership of development projects, those projects become sustainable—and that is exactly what the Gari Irrigation Project represents,” Oyakhirome said. She also underscored the importance of women’s participation in irrigated agriculture, noting that women and youth contribute up to 45–50% of farming activities and as much as 90% of the labour in rice production. She encouraged inclusive leadership within the Water Users Associations to ensure women’s voices are represented at executive levels.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Managing Director of HJRBDA, Mr. Abba Rasheed, Deputy Director of Agricultural Services, described the handover as a reflection of a shared commitment to empower farmers and improve livelihoods. He urged beneficiaries to take ownership of the infrastructure and ensure its sustainability.
Also speaking, the National Desk Officer for the Water Users Association, Engr. Ibe Uzoechi, noted that the initiative would not only enhance productivity but also empower farmers to manage and maintain irrigation systems more effectively. He encouraged collective responsibility among members to safeguard the infrastructure for future generations.
In his remarks, the President of the Gari Irrigation Scheme Water Users Association, Alhaji Haruna Isyaku, described the event as a “new dawn” for farmers.
He stated that improved irrigation facilities would enable farmers to increase yields, diversify crops, and boost income. He assured stakeholders that the Association would ensure responsible management and long-term sustainability of the scheme.
The Gari Irrigation Project remains one of Nigeria’s flagship agricultural initiatives, designed to improve water use efficiency and expand irrigable land. The official handover of project documents to OMADAC Engineering Limited by representatives of the Ministry marked the highlight of the ceremony, symbolizing the Federal Government’s continued commitment to food security and sustainable rural development.
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