Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has instructed key parties to develop effective strategies to lessen the impact of potential flooding. This directive follows predictions made by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) regarding flood-prone areas in the state.
Abubakar Buba, the Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, announced this directive during a public awareness event held at Lagos Garage Mando in Igabi Local Government Area. He stated that Governor Sani has tasked the Ministry and other involved parties with identifying and implementing measures to prevent flooding. An essential part of these measures includes raising public awareness, a task the state agencies have been focusing on for the past two to three months.
The campaign began at Mando Motor Park, a densely populated area, where efforts are concentrated on cleaning out drainage systems. The project, known as “Distilling Drainage,” is supported by the World Bank through the Kaduna Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KAD-ACReSAL).
During the rainy season, the plan is to clean 160,000 meters of drainage in the city centers of Kaduna, Kafanchan, and Zaria. This effort aims to ensure that rainwater can flow back into rivers, thereby reducing the risk of flooding.
Buba called on Kaduna State residents to cooperate with the government by avoiding the disposal of garbage in drainage systems and keeping their areas clean. Involving the community is crucial for the success and sustainability of these efforts. Monitoring and evaluation teams, comprising various stakeholders such as KEPA, SEMA, local government councils, traditional rulers, and community members, will oversee the implementation and ensure active participation.
Jibril Dahiru Rufa’i from KAD-ACReSAL highlighted that the project, supported by the World Bank, addresses land degradation and climate change issues in Northern Nigeria. The project aims to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land and reduce the vulnerability of millions of impoverished people in the region.
Muhammed Mu’azu Mukaddas, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), emphasized that the agency, in collaboration with other stakeholders, has been actively educating citizens on flood risks and safety measures. Over the past six weeks, they have visited 738 locations across the state to raise awareness.
The government aims to create Haven Centres as temporary shelters in case of severe flooding. These proactive measures are expected to significantly reduce the risks and impact of floods. The collaboration between the government, communities, and various agencies is vital to achieving these goals.
Dr. Yakubu Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, Managing Director of Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), stated that the primary goal is to ensure that all drainage systems in the state are cleared to allow free water flow, preventing blockages that could lead to flooding and property damage.
