Flood: Kaduna Launches Major Dredging Effort To Prevent Flooding

By; FUNMI ADERINTO, Kaduna

In a determined move to avoid the devastating floods that hit parts of the state last year, the Kaduna State Government has begun large-scale dredging and expansion of water channels across flood-prone communities.

The initiative follows recent warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which listed Kaduna among the states at high risk of heavy rainfall, flash floods, and windstorms this rainy season.

During an inspection of the ongoing work in Ifira, along the Kaduna International Airport Road in Igabi Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, said the state had identified and mapped out vulnerable areas needing urgent attention.

“This entire area used to be completely blocked. We’ve now cleared about 800 metres of the river channel,” Buba said. “It will significantly improve water flow and help prevent disasters like we witnessed last year.”

He stressed the importance of the road, which serves as a major route to the Kaduna International Airport, and emphasized that any disruption would have serious consequences.

The Commissioner assured residents that the government is committed to a flood-free rainy season. However, he urged the public to stop dumping refuse in drainage systems, warning that mobile courts under the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) have been set up to prosecute offenders.

The dredging effort is being coordinated by the Ministry of Environment in partnership with several agencies, including the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), and National Orientation Agency (NOA).

Other flood-prone areas marked for similar interventions include parts of Zaria, Kafanchan, and sections of Kaduna city.

At the bridge linking Kaduna metropolis to the airport — previously threatened by erosion — Buba reaffirmed the government’s dedication: “We’re doing everything possible to prevent flooding this year.”

Local businesses and residents have welcomed the intervention. Engineer Sanjay Sharma, Manager of Sun-Agro Soya Oil Refining Company, described the move as “timely and commendable.”

“Last year’s floods were devastating for farmers. This early action shows serious commitment,” he said.

The Village Head of Ifira, Malam Balarabe Abubakar, agreed, calling the dredging a “lifesaver” for the community. “Our crops used to be washed away annually. This project will help protect our harvests,” he said.

NEMA’s Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Ikramat Umar Mohd, praised the state’s proactive measures. “This bridge is a critical infrastructure. Preventing disasters is the smartest way to manage them,” he said.

#NewNigerianNewspapers www.newnigeriannewspapers.ng