In its bid to control flooding, the Jigawa State Government has constructed a 132-kilometre embankment and 32 drains.

Governor Umar Namadi, who said this at the inauguration of the 2025 Tree Planting Campaign in Dutse, said the government constructed embankments along Hadejia River, to mitigate floods, protect farmlands and build resilience among vulnerable communities.

Namadi said that his administration was currently constructing drains in 32 different locations across the state, to reclaim eroded and flooded areas.

He said the state government also deployed two amphibious excavators to dredge Hadejia River, and clear blocked channels to ease the flow of water.

This, he said, will mitigate perennial floods ravaging the state and protect the environment as well as improve the social and economic well-being of the people.

“I’m pleased to inform you that towards the end of the year 2023, the Jigawa State Government acquired two amphibious hydraulic excavators, specifically for channel clearance in areas affected by invasive typha grass.

“Coordinated by a technical committee, these were deployed for the clearance of river channels in the riverine areas, targeting over 159 kilometres to facilitate free flow of water.

“This is to mitigate the occurrence of perennial floods devastating the environment which has had an adverse effect on people’s lives and property over the years,” he said.

According to Namadi, the state government is also distributing manual working tools and materials, to encourage communal efforts to mitigate the disaster.

Abdullahi Sa’id, Chairman, Jigawa Local Emergency Management Committee, said the state government has provided adequate funds to fast-track flood mitigation and emergency response services.