Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Enlightenment, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has said the Federal Government’s proposed irrigation project and the Kano State Government’s hydropower scheme at the Challawa Gorge Dam will significantly improve the socio-economic well-being of residents of Kano State.
Abdulaziz made the remarks while leading a delegation of journalists on an inspection tour of major Federal and Kano State Government development projects across the state.
The tour formed part of activities marking the Arewa Media Summit, organised by the Office of the SSA to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment.
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According to him, the initiative was designed to give journalists firsthand knowledge of strategic development projects being implemented by both governments and their expected impact on the lives of citizens.
Speaking during the visit to the Challawa Gorge Dam in Karaye Local Government Area, Abdulaziz described the hydropower and irrigation projects as strategic investments capable of strengthening electricity supply, increasing agricultural productivity, creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth.
He explained that the hydropower project being executed by the Kano State Government would provide electricity to water treatment facilities, improving the production and distribution of potable water to millions of residents across the state.
He added that the Federal Government’s irrigation project would expand dry-season farming, increase crop yields, improve farmers’ incomes, generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, and contribute to food security and economic prosperity.
Briefing the delegation, the Managing Director of the Kano Hydroelectric Power Company, Engineer Ado Ibrahim Doguwa, said work on the hydropower project had reached an advanced stage and assured that it would soon be completed and commissioned.
He noted that the facility would ensure reliable electricity supply to critical water treatment plants, thereby improving the efficiency of water production and distribution across Kano.
The delegation also visited the Renewed Hope Housing Estate, where they inspected 698 housing units completed under the first phase of the project, as well as 425 additional units currently under construction in the second phase.
Other projects inspected included the Kano–Maradi Railway and the Kano–Dutse Railway, both expected to improve regional connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce transportation costs and stimulate economic development across Northern Nigeria.
The journalists also visited the permanent site of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure, where construction is ongoing on the Sustainable and Emerging Technology Development Institute (SETDI), an artificial intelligence and emerging technologies training centre located within the new campus of Bayero University, Kano.
The institute is expected to equip Nigerian youths with advanced digital and technological skills required to compete in the global knowledge economy.
The inspection tour, according to the organisers, reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting transparency, public awareness and citizen engagement by providing journalists with direct access to key infrastructure projects aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities.