By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) has moved swiftly to allay fears of water scarcity among farmers in the downstream areas of the Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, following recent reports of declining water levels threatening thousands of rice farms in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

In a press statement signed by Amiru Adamu of the Strategic Communications Unit and made available to News Express, Saturday April 19, 2025, the Authority said it had responded promptly to the situation after receiving widespread complaints from farmers and media coverage highlighting the threat to food security in the region.

Managing Director of the Authority, Alhaji Abubakar Malam Shettiman Gwandu, immediately directed the release of appropriate water volumes to support irrigation needs and convened an emergency meeting with key technical officials.

Among those present were the Executive Director Engineering, Hon. Mansur Aminu Khalifa, the Executive Director Planning and Design, and the Project Manager of the Middle Rima Valley Irrigation Project, Goronyo.

The meeting, according to the statement, focused on crafting a sustainable action plan to ensure continued water availability during the critical pre-inflow period, with the team tasked to develop proactive strategies for future occurrences.

Showing hands-on leadership, the MD interrupted his participation in the ongoing public holiday and paid an unscheduled visit to affected rice farms in Argungu and Birnin Kebbi to assess the situation firsthand. While visiting farming communities in Gazawa, Infiya, Tura, and Farfajiya, Alhaji Abubakar assured farmers of the Authority?s renewed commitment to transparency and collaboration.

Engr. Abdullahi Jafar, Head of the Goronyo Dam Management Unit, clarified that the temporary halt in water release was based on seasonal rainfall projections by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), but assured farmers that the Goronyo Dam still holds sufficient reserves to meet irrigation demands until the rains begin.

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