For the new Managing Director (MD) of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, his success story at the agency would not have been possible, if he was not inspired by President Tinubu’s wife, Sen. Oluremi, he says.
The Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority was established in 1976 as an agency under the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Located along Maiduguri Road, Hotoro area of Kano, the agency is responsible for the development of surface and underground water resources in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi areas.
President Bola Tinubu recently appointed Bichi, from Kano State, to serve as MD of HJRBDA, and within four months, Bichi has expanded the frontiers of vision for the agency, prioritising water resource management, youth empowerment and agricultural development.
The new MD told The Nation that he drew inspirations from the pet projects of the president’s wife, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, which he said, align with his passion for driving sustainable development and improving the lives of Nigerians.
‘The reforms we are delivering at the agency are in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and the First Lady has inspired us a lot.
‘The First Lady’s vision for a Greener, More Self-Sufficient Nigeria, exemplified by the transformative ‘Every-Home-A-Garden’ project, is a profound inspiration.
‘We at HJRBDA are proud to align with this vision, which complements our enduring mission to promote agricultural growth and sustainable water resource management for the nation,’ Suleiman said.
In November 2023, the First Lady launched the ‘Every Home a Garden’ contest, offering a N20m prize to first-time female farmers nationwide to bolster domestic food production.
Suleiman Bichi, a consummate engineer, has made giant strides in enhancing food production in the catchment areas of Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi.
Through strategic investments in irrigation infrastructure, support services for farmers and sustainable water resource management, the agency is significantly improving agricultural productivity and enhancing food security.
In a chat with The Nation, Bichi outlined his key initiatives to include, among others: Developed Irrigation Infrastructure (canals, dams, water distribution Systems); Support Services (training, extension services, improved seeds, fertilizer and farm equipment); Insured Sustainable Water Resource Management (water harvesting and conservation); and Stakeholders’ Collaboration (government agencies, farmers’ organisations and private sector partners).
Increased Food Production; Improved Livelihoods for Farmers; Enhanced Food Security; and Reduced Hunger and Poverty are some of the impacts of the initiatives on the region.
‘Our plan is to continue promoting agricultural development and food security, to drive even greater success,’ he said.
Another record set by the HIRBDA, under Bichi, is the empowerment of farmers for all year round production of food and cash crops, an initiative the MD said he copied from President Tinubu’s wife.
‘The Authority is doing this through strategic investments to farmers in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi, particularly enabling them to access improved seeds, fertilizer and farming tools, including tractor hiring and mechanisation services, to improve their efficiency and productivity. In fact, the farmers are supported during cultivation and harvest.
‘We are also promoting crop diversification, enabling farmers to grow a variety of crops, including vegetables, fruits and grains, for enhanced income and food security,’ Bichi said.
The president had charged Bichi to use his wealth of experience in water resource development for irrigation, flood control, and water supply, as well as promote sustainable agriculture and rural development.
Bichi is also to steer the authority’s implementation of various projects such as building of dams and construction of irrigation systems, while providing technical assistance to local communities to enhance water utilisation for agriculture and other purposes.
As the Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Bichi said he was collaborating with all stakeholders to harness the potentials of the Authority under the various efforts of the minister of Water Resources, Professor Joseph Utsev.
He described members of his team as ‘capable hands,’ saying: ‘We shall focus on improving food security and economic development in the region, leveraging the Authority’s expertise in water resources management and agricultural development. This moment is not just a personal milestone, it signifies our collective commitment to national development and community well-being,’ he emphasised.
Bichi’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI) guiding operations include water resource management by 20 percent boost in water-use efficiency, through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) and optimised irrigation systems; increasing coverage from 54,000 to 240,000 hectares, aimed at raising paddy rice production from 216,000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes.
He said: ‘The goal is to bridge the gap between millers’ demand of 7 million tonnes and current national output of 4 million tonnes; dam rehabilitation to enhancing dam water retention capacity via de-silting and other remedial actions; crop yield improvement projected 30 percent year-on-year increase in yields through modern farming practices and improved irrigation technology; community satisfaction targeting 85 percent satisfaction among local stakeholders, being achieved through inclusive planning and a comprehensive basin management strategy.
‘A key focus of the administration is youth empowerment, with plans to train at least 5,000 youths across the three benefiting states in modern irrigation, bookkeeping, horticulture, greenhouse farming, hydroponics and fodder production.
‘The youth are central to unlocking our agricultural potential. With the right skills and innovation, they can overcome the challenges of climate change and low productivity.’
The agency embarks on training programmes in technical skills in irrigation installation and maintenance; sustainable agricultural practices, such as soil conservation and crop rotation; entrepreneurship, with modules in business management and market access; community engagement, to encourage cross-cultural knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
The aim is to strengthen the agricultural value chain, from production to marketing, by fostering partnerships with local businesses and access to finance.
The establishment is working with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), NASENI, and the Ministry for Livestock to support farmers and trainees,’ the managing director said.
Addressing internal workforce, the MD outlined plans for improved staff welfare and transparent postings, anchored on merit and bureaucratic standards.
‘We aim to create a supportive environment that boosts morale, increases productivity, and fosters trust among employees,’ he said, adding that cooperation, not confrontation, will be the guiding principle.’
Bichi was the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign Director General of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2023 presidential race in Kano state. The president however, said Bichi’s appointment is on account of his cognate experience and management expertise in both public and private sectors.
Bichi, who obtained his BSc at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, and MBA at Bayero University Kano (BUK), had served as Secretary to the State Government of Kano State (SSG) from 2011 to 2016, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc until 2006. He was also Chief Quantity Surveyor at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Abuja; Managing Director/CEO at the Kano State Environmental Planning and Protection Agency (KASEPPA) between 1990 and 2002.
He also served as commissioner, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning in Kano state, Executive Chairman of Crane Builders and Engineering Limited. He also worked at the Infrastructure Bank PLC. and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), serving as Non-Executive Director.
While thanking the president for entrusting him with the leadership of the river basin development, Bichi told The Nation that he is not only promoting food security and environmental sustainability, but youth development across Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi States.