Flood Alert: Jigawa desilt 72km flood prone areas, plant 5m trees
By: Ahmed Amunu, Dutse
Jigawa State Government has constructed and evacuated drainages covering 72 kilometers in the flood prone areas of Hadeja, where crops and properties are lost to flood annually.
The government has also reclaimed several kilometers of land taken over by flood across the state, just as it embarked on the planting of 5.5 milloon trees as part of long termsolution to changing climatic conditions precipitating the recurring flooding.
Governor Umar Namadi, who made this known in Andaza while flagging the statewide tree planting campaign, said the government had also cleared typha grass and other blockage on Hadejia river from Gagiya in Guri Local Government of the stare to Wacakal in Yobe State.
“As parts of efforts to safeguard the environment, we have in the last one year, constructed about 20 kilometers of drainages and reclaim 72 kilometers of eroded areas in several affected villages and towns across the 27 Local Government Areas of the State.
“Most of these have been completed and a few are nearing completion. In areas of flood mitigation, we have desilted 72 kilometers along Hadejia River Channel from Gagiya in Guri Local Government to Wacakal in Yobe State,” he added.
According to him, the planting of of 5.5 millon trees is part of their crusade against desertification, deforestation and other forms environmental degradation that occurs primarily due to inadequate forest cover.
The governor noted that human interference with the natural environment has continued to wreak havoc with devasting consequences on environmental sustainability, loss of flora and fauna, and sustainable means of livelihoods.
“One of the commitments I made to the people of Jigawa State during my inauguration as governor of the Sate was to reinvigorate and expand ongoing programmes including the production of 2.5 million tree seedlings annually for distribution to the citizens, public sensitization on tree planting, deforestation, and general environmental protection.
“I am really delighted that the 2024 Tree Planting Campaign is very unique as it glaringly demonstrates our commitment to the delivery of our promise”.
He expressed gratitude to the Great Green Wall, and the World-Bank assisted ACReSAL Project for complementing the efforts of the government in building environmental resilience and significantly improving the greenery of the environment.
