Determined to avert the kind of devastation that crippled parts of Kaduna State last year, the state government has launched a massive dredging and expansion of waterways in flood-prone areas.
This followed early warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which listed Kaduna among the states that are likely to witness heavy downpour, flash floods and windstorms this rainy season.
During an inspection of ongoing dredging at Ifira, along the Kaduna International Airport Road in Igabi Local Government Area, the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, said the government had mapped out vulnerable spots for urgent intervention.
“This entire place was blocked before, but we have now opened up about 800 metres of the river. It will ease water flow and forestall disasters like we saw last year. This road is a major route to the Kaduna International Airport. We cannot afford any disruption,” Buba said.
The Commissioner assured residents of the government’s commitment to achieving a flood-free season, but warned them against turning drainages into dump sites.
He disclosed that a mobile court under the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) had been set up to try offenders caught dumping refuse into waterways.
The dredging, he noted, is being jointly supervised by the Ministry of Environment, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and other stakeholders.
Flood-prone areas identified for similar interventions include parts of Zaria, Kafanchan and sections of the state capital.
At the bridge linking Kaduna metropolis to the airport — previously threatened by erosion — Buba reiterated the government’s resolve: saying, “We are doing everything humanly possible to avoid flood disasters this year.”
For the Manager of Sun-Agro Soya Oil Refining Company, Engineer Sanjay Sharma, operating in the area was a timely relief.
“Last year’s flooding was devastating. Many farmers lost their crops. This early intervention by the government is commendable,” he said.
Also speaking, the village head of Ifira, Malam Balarabe Abubakar, hailed the dredging as a lifeline for local farmers.
“Our farmlands used to be washed away every year. This project will save our harvests,” he said.
Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer of NEMA, Ikramat Umar Mohd, described the state’s proactive approach as exemplary.
“This bridge is a critical asset. One of the best ways to manage disasters is to prevent them before they occur,” he noted.