4,000m River Kaduna dredging flagged off by Kaduna Govt

Governor Uba Sani approves 4,000m dredging of River Kaduna as state deploys swamp buggy to clear flood-prone areas and safeguard communities.

The Kaduna State Government has rolled out a major flood-control project with the dredging of a 4,000-metre stretch of River Kaduna, aimed at expanding the river’s capacity, preventing blockages, and addressing the recurring threat of flooding in the state.

Governor Uba Sani approved the initiative as part of his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives, protecting property, and minimizing the devastating socio-economic impact of seasonal floods on residents.

Speaking during the official flag-off of the exercise, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Linda Yakubu, explained that the dredging will cover major vulnerable points along the river.

Key locations include Barnawa, the Living Faith axis, and several surrounding communities that have historically suffered from flooding whenever water levels rise.

She added that the project would not stop at the main channel of River Kaduna alone but will also extend to clearing smaller tributaries that empty into the river.

This, she said, will create freer channels for water movement, reduce overflow risks, and provide long-term relief for residents in low-lying areas.

Yakubu disclosed that the dredging is being executed with a newly procured swamp buggy—an amphibious excavator designed specifically for swampy and waterlogged terrains.

The equipment was acquired earlier this year on the directive of Governor Sani, making it the state’s first independently owned flood-control machinery.

She highlighted that the swamp buggy had already been tested and deployed in June to critical areas such as Airport Road and Kutungari.

Its earlier operations, she noted, led to noticeable improvements in water flow, the prevention of property damage, and the protection of small businesses that had previously been exposed to flood risks.

Beyond the dredging exercise, Yakubu issued a stern caution to residents to desist from the habitual dumping of refuse into drains and waterways, which remains a major contributor to blocked channels and urban flooding.

She warned that the state government would no longer condone such practices.

She further announced that mobile courts would be reintroduced when the state resumes its monthly sanitation exercise in October.

These courts, she said, will sanction individuals and groups found guilty of violating environmental regulations.

The project attracted the participation of several national agencies, reflecting its significance. Officials present at the flag-off commended Kaduna State’s proactive stance in adopting preventive measures rather than waiting to respond to disaster aftermaths.

Ikramat Muazu, the Assistant Chief Disaster Risk Reduction Officer of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), lauded the dredging project as a timely intervention.

According to him, investing in flood-prevention measures will not only save human lives but also drastically cut down on the high costs that usually go into relief and rehabilitation after floods.

Also lending his voice, Michael Balai-Ibrahim of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), explained that the swamp buggy would play a crucial role in eliminating sandbars, silt, and debris from the river channel.

He assured that NIWA would continue its complementary role of regulating river users and enforcing waterway safety standards.

In the same vein, the Assistant Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Rahama Suleiman, called on residents to rally behind the government’s efforts.

She reminded communities that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had forecast heavier-than-usual rainfall for the year, making it even more critical for citizens to cooperate in preventing flood disasters.

Flooding has been a recurrent challenge in Kaduna State, often displacing families, destroying farmlands, and damaging infrastructure during the rainy season.

Communities along River Kaduna have been particularly vulnerable, with residents sometimes forced to abandon their homes due to rising waters.

By embarking on this dredging exercise, the state government is not only responding to immediate threats but also laying the foundation for a sustainable flood management strategy.

Officials believe the project will significantly reduce the frequency and severity of flooding incidents, protect economic activities around the riverbanks, and boost public confidence in the government’s disaster-prevention agenda.

The dredging exercise, currently underway, is expected to continue until the targeted sections are fully cleared and widened.

Authorities have assured residents that more interventions will follow, as the government intensifies efforts to make Kaduna safer and more resilient against natural disasters.