Kano State Agro-Pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has awarded N6 billion contract for the construction of irrigation infrastructure and milk collection centres across the state.
The projects would be sited across 16 local government areas of the state, a statement by the Project Communications Specialist, Ameen Yassar, said on Saturday in Kano.
He listed the projects to include the development of 1,006 hectares of irrigation structures at Sector 9-14 under Watari Irrigation Scheme in Bagwai LGA and the construction of 40 dairies at different locations across 15 LGAs.
According to Yassar, the Watari infrastructure projects will cost N4.5 billion while the construction of 40 milk collection centers would gulp N1.4 billion.
He said the project is being implemented with the support of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) under its Lives and Livelihoods Fund (LLF)
LLF is part of a broad vision to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food and nutrition security as well as improve income generation for pastoralists and smallholder farmers.
He said the projects, awarded to eight indigenous contractors commenced in September 2022, and are expected to be completed between September and December 2023.
“The investment is predicted to impact thousands of farmers and pastoralists, thus revitalising the economy of Kano State,” he said.
The statement quoted the Project Coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammad as saying that the move was a significant step toward revamping agriculture in the state.
“These interventions, which would soon be followed by other activities, will surely bring about change in the agricultural fortunes of Kano State, and lift a significant number of our people out of poverty,” he said.
The Coordinator urged the contractors to abide by the contractual guidelines to deliver value for money.
It also quoted the Managing Director, Kano State Rural Development Authority (KNARDA), Dr Junaidu Muhammad as saying that a strong monitoring mechanism had been put in place to ensure effective supervision of the projects.
He warned them against poor quality work, adding that erring contractors would be sanctioned.
“Justify the confidence reposed in you by providing excellent services that would lead to achieving the organisation’s objectives”.NAN
