TheCable

Aminu Tambuwal, Sokoto state government, has urged the federal government to concession dams under its care to states that are interested in managing them.

Speaking when he inspected irrigation works at the Goronyo Dam in Sokoto, Tambuwal said state governments will put such dams to better use.

He said it will be economically viable if states were allowed to manage the dams since they benefit directly from its resources.

“Almost all the citizens who use the dams for irrigation and other purposes are under the care of the state governments, so it will be economically wise if the federal government can concession the dams and allow us to manage it,” he said.

Tambuwal, who addressed some farmers and fishermen in Goronyo on the significance of water resources available in the area, said the dam is a great asset t the state and has played a huge part in boosting farming activities among the local populace.

He said he will specifically request the federal government to allow Sokoto continue to handle the operations of the dam.

Tambuwal said because of the importance of the dam, the government, along with a private firm, Erisco Foods Ltd, will set up a $250m tomato processing factory in the area in order to allow farmers have their products processed in their localities.

He added that the government will also set up the state commodity marketing board to ensure fair pricing for farmers and their produce as a way of maintaining economic stability for farm produce all year round.

Tambuwal said efforts were being to increase the farming capacity of the local communities by attracting tractor assembling company to the state.