Kaduna State Government has embarked on a massive dredging and expansion of waterways in flood-prone areas in the state to avert flood disaster.

This followed early warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which listed Kaduna among the states likely to experience heavy downpours, flash floods, and windstorms this rainy season.

During an inspection of the ongoing dredging at Ifira, along the Kaduna International Airport road in Igabi Local Government, the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, stated that the government had identified vulnerable spots for urgent intervention.

He said, “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,” Buba said.

“This road is a major route to the Kaduna International Airport. We cannot afford any disruption,” he said.

The commissioner assured residents of the government’s commitment to achieving a flood-free season, but warned them against turning drainage areas into dumping sites.

He disclosed that a mobile court under the Kaduna Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) had been established 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.”

An engineer, Sanjay Sharma, Manager of Sun-Agro Soya Oil Refining Company, who operates in the area, said that “it was a timely relief.”

He said, “Last year’s flooding was devastating. Many farmers lost their crops. This early intervention by the government is commendable.”

Also speaking, the Village Head of Ifira, Malam Balarabe Abubakar, commended the dredging, describing it 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.