Bauchi’s N29bn erosion control project to restore 9,842 hectres degraded lands – Expert

An environmentalist, Ibrahim Ahmad, has said that the N29.69 billion flood and erosion control project in Bauchi metropolis would protect the environment and improve livelihoods.

He said that the gesture demonstrated the Bauchi government’s commitment to environmental sustainability for the overall development of the state.

Ahmad spoke in Bauchi on Sunday, while responding to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria on state governments’ utilisation of ecological funds.

He said the project was designed to control gully erosion and stormwater channels in Bauchi metropolis as well as flood control in over 15 flood prone local government areas of the state.

The expert said that such interventions were imperative to control flooding and erosion, as well as protect lives and properties for sustainable development.

While commending the initiative, Mr Ahmad called for effective execution of the project to achieve its objectives.

It will be recalled that the Bauchi government on May 13, embarked on an $18.5 million dollars, equivalent to N29.69 billion flood and erosion control project.

The project is being funded by the World Bank through its Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes, ACReSAL, programme.

Performing the groundbreaking ceremony, Gov. Bala Mohammed, said that the project was to curb gully erosion and stormwater damage ravaging communities.

He said that gully erosion and uncontrolled stormwater channels running from Tsohon Kamfani to Gwallagan Mayaka communities in the metropolis was threatening the topography of the town.

Mr Mohammed said that the state government had paid 40 per cent of the total contract sum as mobilisation fee to the contractor while the full amount was readily available.

He assured that the project would be completed as scheduled.

Erosion control in Bauchi

“This event is far more than the commencement of a construction project, it represents another bold milestone in our administration’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, urban renewal, public health, economic growth, and the wellbeing of our people,” he said.

According to Mr Mohammed, the intervention is a key component of the Bauchi Urban Renewal Project in alignment with Bauchi Project II, aimed at modernising infrastructure and building climate-resilient communities.

He said that the small stormwater pathways and gully erosion destroyed homes, farmlands, roads, and livelihoods in the town.

The governor highlighted that the project was expected to restore 9,842 hectares of degraded lands and provide protection to more than 213,000 people.

Mr Mohammed stressed the need for community involvement in the implementation and monitoring of the project via deepening stakeholding.

In Jigawa, the state government said it has committed a lot of funds to confront growing climate challenges such flooding and erosion.

Sagir Musa, Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, said the government adopted practical environmental policies, ecological restoration and community-driven climate action.

He said that Gov. Umar Namadi administration has placed climate resilience and environmental sustainability at the heart of its development agenda, through policies and strategic investments.

“The recently approved Jigawa State Climate Change Policy, compliments efforts to promote environmental sustainability, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and responsible natural resource management.

“With the implementation of the World Bank-supported ACReSAL project, the state has executed major ecological restoration projects,” he said.

Erosion control in Gombe

Musa listed some of the projects to include the Danmasara – Yalwawa gully erosion and flood mitigation scheme.

He said the project reclaimed over 400 hectares of degraded land through an integrated erosion control, drainage infrastructure and flood mitigation measures.

However, there are no data from Gombe as the officials in relevant environment agencies declined comments on the type of interventions, and how the state government was utilising the ecological fund.

On flood preparedness, Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa have adopted different approaches to mitigate the disaster, including upscaling of public awareness creation activities, inter-agency collaboration, evacuation and emergency response services.

The Jigawa government has adopted a comprehensive strategy, combining rescue equipment, engineering interventions, stockfiling of relief items and community participation.

While Gombe’s preparedness centred largely on public sensitisation in spite of lacking a structured evacuation framework, Bauchi relied on flood control projects, early warning systems and community mobilisation.

The Gombe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said that Dukku, Nafada, Kwami, Shongom and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas are being identified as vulnerable to flooding as indicated in the 2026 flood outlook of the Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMet).

Mr Haruna Abdullahi, the Executive Secretary of the agency, said that the agency had embarked on community sensitisation engaging stakeholders on measures to reduce flood risks.

He said that Local Emergency Management Committees, chaired by the vice chairmen of the local government councils had been activated to strengthen grassroots disaster preparedness.

Abdullahi said that membership of the committees comprised security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders, adding that the committees were responsible for coordinating emergency response services.

He said that residents had been encouraged to clear blocked drains, shun indiscriminate refuse disposal and erection structures on waterways.

The secretary, however, disclosed that Gombe state had no formal evacuation plan, but relied on preventive measures to promote public compliance with safety advisories.

He said that the agency had intensified awareness campaigns through radio programmes and other communication platforms in collaboration with NEMA, NOA and relevant institutions.

Stormwater damage in Bauchi

Also, the Jigawa government said it had made adequate arrangements to tackle anticipated flooding through coordinated mitigation, evacuation and emergency response measures.

Hamza Muhammad, Special Adviser to Gov. Umar Namadi on Community Development and Social Inclusion, said that proactive interventions began in February following the NiMet flood forecasts.

Muhammad, who co-chairs the Technical Committee on Flood Mitigation in the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), said that the state government had procured over 20 speedboats to facilitate prompt evacuation of affected residents and safeguard property in flood-prone communities.

He said the state was collaborating with HJRBDA, NEMA, NIHSA, NiMet, UNICEF, the Nigerian Red Cross, Yobe and state governments to fast-track proactive contingency planning.

On his part, Hanafi Yakubu, Executive Secretary, SEMA in Jigawa, said that NiMet predicted flooding in 11 out of the 27 LGAs of the state.

Yakubu said that comprehensive sensitisation campaigns involving traditional rulers, security agencies, ministries and local councils were ongoing in vulnerable riverine communities.

He said that the state government had procured canoes, food and non-food relief materials to strengthen emergency response capacity, and deployed six amphibious excavators for channel dredging and aquatic weed clearance to reduce flood risks.

The secretary said that the government also provided 15 community-based organisations with manual tools to sustain environmental sanitation and water channel clearance.

Similarly; the Bauchi SEMA said that NiMet predicted flooding in 17 out of the 20 LGAs of the state.

Mr Adamu Nayola, Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, SEMA, said that the agency had strengthened early warning dissemination through radio, television, town criers, religious leaders and community-based organisations.

He said that the agency advised residents in riverine communities to relocate to safe areas, including designated public schools.

Nayola said that farmers were also encouraged to cultivate early-maturing or flood-tolerant crops to minimise agricultural losses.

He said the agency was working closely with NEMA, NiMet, NIHSA, traditional institutions and community leaders to improve disaster preparedness.

NAN