Governor of Tillabéri region, Colonel Maïna Boukar, accompanied by the Director General of ONAHA, Lieutenant-Colonel Bilaly Elhadji Gambobo, undertook a significant visit to the Toula irrigated perimeter on Friday, May 15, 2026. Their visit was an integral part of a full work mission to the region, specifically designed to inspect the rehabilitated perimeter. This key rehabilitation project was completed under the overarching framework of the Grande Irrigation Project (PGI), an initiative of national importance. The entire financing for this ambitious project is proudly provided by the State of Niger, drawing exclusively from its national budget, showing the government's commitment to agricultural development. Colonel Maïna Boukar, expressing his profound satisfaction with the progress, described the achievement as "une véritable prouesse dont nous sommes très fiers et reconnaissants" (a veritable feat of which we are very proud and grateful).
Progress and Scope of Works
Rehabilitation work on the Toula perimeter has been actively underway since April 2025, demonstrating a sustained effort over more than a year. The recent visit by the delegation, led by the Governor and the Director General of ONAHA, provided a critical opportunity to meticulously observe the current execution status of these extensive rehabilitation works. During their detailed inspection, officials meticulously examined various vital drainage structures, including strong dikes, primary and secondary canals, and a wide array of essential irrigation equipment. This thorough assessment revealed that the overall execution rate of the works has reached an impressive approximately 88.7%, indicating substantial progress towards completion.
The project initially commenced with a 150-hectare electrified area, laying the groundwork for the subsequent phases of development. Officials confidently stated that all planned works for development have been executed as per the project specifications. This full execution encompasses the sophisticated water intake system, the strong retention system, an intricate network of gutters, the main and secondary canals, and all necessary drainage devices, ensuring a fully integrated and functional irrigation infrastructure. This extensive rehabilitation effort was specifically designed and implemented with a clear objective: to combat the recurrent and devastating floods that had historically plagued the region, rendering nearly half of the perimeter non-functional and severely impacting agricultural productivity. A key and innovative aspect of the project's methodology involved a new, integrated approach, which strategically combined simultaneous rehabilitation activities with agricultural development activities. This synergistic approach was adopted to maximize both efficiency in project delivery and the overall impact on local farming communities.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Impact
The region's susceptibility to severe weather events was noted by strong rains in early August, which previously caused significant flooding within the perimeter, severely reducing agricultural yields and posing a constant threat to farmers' livelihoods. The full rehabilitation efforts have since dramatically improved operating conditions at the Toula irrigated perimeter, paving the way for more efficient and reliable agricultural production. Crucially, areas that were previously submerged and unusable due to these challenging conditions have now been successfully recovered and brought back into productive use, directly contributing to a substantial increase in the perimeter's overall production capacity.
A key part of the inspection involved a visit to the pumping station, a critical component of the irrigation system. Prior to the rehabilitation, the station was severely underperforming, with only one of its four pumps being operational, severely limiting water distribution capabilities. As part of the extensive upgrades, four brand new, high-capacity pumps have been meticulously installed to significantly enhance the system's efficiency and ensure ample water supply. Demonstrating a commitment to resourcefulness and sustainability, the older pumps were not discarded but were instead rehabilitated and are now maintained in reserve, providing an essential layer of redundancy and ensuring reliability in operations. Consequently, the Toula irrigated perimeter now possesses more than sufficient pumping equipment to meet all its operational requirements, ensuring consistent water availability for cultivation. The impact of these improvements is already tangible: approximately thirty hectares of the rehabilitated land have already been successfully utilized for agricultural activities across three distinct seasons. As a direct result of these concerted efforts, the Toula irrigated perimeter is now cultivated at nearly 100% of its capacity, marking a truly significant and transformative improvement in its productivity and overall agricultural output.
Official Statements and Gratitude
Governor of Tillabéri region, Colonel Maïna Boukar, took the opportunity to extend his profound gratitude to the nation's leadership for their unwavering financial commitment to this vital project. He specifically and publicly thanked the highest authorities, including the President of the Republic, General of the Army Abdourahamane Tiani, and Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, for their instrumental role in financing the extensive rehabilitation efforts. Director General of ONAHA, Lieutenant-Colonel Bilaly Elhadji Gambobo, also expressed his deep appreciation to the President of the Republic, acknowledging him as the visionary initiator of the Grande Irrigation Program, a testament to his foresight and dedication to national development. Speaking on behalf of the numerous local stakeholders and beneficiaries, Mr. Aghali Adamou, president of the cooperatives, conveyed heartfelt thanks to the highest authorities for their dedicated attention to the pressing needs of agricultural producers in the region, emphasizing the positive impact on their lives and livelihoods.
Future Development and Preservation
The broad rehabilitation efforts are set to directly benefit approximately 889 local rice producers, a significant number of whom, specifically 25, are women, noting the project's inclusive approach to development. The full project, from its inception to its current advanced stage, has incurred a global cost evaluated at nearly two billion CFA francs, representing a substantial investment by the State of Niger in its agricultural future. Governor Maïna Boukar, recognizing the long-term value of this investment, earnestly urged cooperative leaders and operators to diligently preserve the state-funded infrastructure, emphasizing that its careful maintenance is key for sustained productivity. Additionally, in a further commitment to fostering agricultural growth and supporting local communities, authorities have generously provided a modern cooperative building, offering improved facilities for collaboration and administration, and an additional 300-hectare perimeter for operators to develop. These strategic provisions aim to further enhance agricultural productivity and foster sustainable development across the region for years to come.