Senator Yari moves to revive Bakolori Dam

Thousands of farmers under the Bakolori Irrigation Program in Zamfara State have erupted in jubilation following a major intervention to restore the famous Bakolori Dam to full functionality.

The intervention was facilitated by the Senator representing Zamfara West Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, Marafan Sokoto.

The Bakolori Irrigation Scheme, one of the largest and most strategic irrigation projects in Nigeria, has for years been crippled by faulty irrigation gates, severe siltation and blocked secondary drainage, a situation that has hampered dry season farming and threatened food security in Zamfara and neighboring states.

Checks revealed that the intervention followed a letter of request dated October 4, 2026 from the programme’s Apex Water Users Association, detailing the challenges faced by farmers.

In response, Senator Yari directed KK Technologies Limited to immediately mobilize to the site and begin rehabilitation works.

The scope of work, according to Senator Yari, includes immediate repair of a faulty water gate that supplies water to the irrigation area, maintenance of another functioning gate to prevent its total collapse, and remediation of 20 to 30 secondary drains within the project to restore water flow. It also includes evaluating the Anka, Bukkuyum and NATO dams for possible repairs.

Bakolori Irrigation System Project Manager, Alhaji Umar Adamu, described the intervention as one whose impact could not be quantified.

“Words are not enough to thank the senator for this intervention,” Adamu said.

He added that he will mobilize all irrigating farmers in Bakolori ahead of the 2027 general elections to support the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Also speaking, the Chairman of Bakolori Water Users Association, Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar Marafa, said the intervention has become a life-saving initiative for over 80,000 registered and unregistered members of the association.

“Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar has proven himself to be a representative who always listens to his people and is always ready to address challenges affecting their well-being,” he said.

He assured that he will join thousands of members of his association to support Senator Yari in fulfilling his mandate as the Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Senator Yari also promised to work with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for a permanent solution to the dam siltation problem, which remains a perennial challenge.