Jigawa State Governor Malam Umar Namadi said the state government has desilted 72 kilometers along the Hadejia River Channel to ensure smooth flow of the river and mitigate the effects of flooding in this year’s rainy season.
The governor made this disclosure in a speech delivered at this year’s Tree Planting Campaign at Andaza village in Kiyawa Local Government Area. He said that under this project, all the typha grass and other blockages in the river had been cleared from Gagiya in Guri Local Government to Wacakal in Yobe State.
Malam Umar Namadi also stated that the government has constructed a 72-kilometer embankment as an effort to mitigate the effects of ecological problems at the flash points identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
According to him, “As part of efforts to safeguard the environment, we have, in the last year, constructed about 20 kilometers of drainages and reclaimed 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 the Hadejia River Channel from Gagiya in Guri Local Government to Wacakal in Yobe State.”
He noted, “It is with a high sense of responsibility and gratitude to Allah that we are all gathered here today to witness the flag-off of this year’s Tree Planting Campaign and the distribution of 5.5 million tree seedlings produced as part of our crusade against desertification, deforestation, and other forms of environmental degradation that occur primarily due to inadequate forest cover.”
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The governor maintained that human interference with the natural environment has continued to wreak havoc with devastating consequences on environmental sustainability, leading to the loss of environmental flora and fauna as well as sustainable means of livelihoods for the people.
Namadi added that the phenomenon of desertification and the gradual loss of forest reserves have continued to raise grave concerns for environmental sustainability, with negative consequences on sustainable livelihoods for most of the state’s citizens.
“One of the commitments I made to the people of Jigawa State during my inauguration as governor was to reinvigorate and expand ongoing programs, 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 unique as it clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering our promise.”
He also said, “While flagging off the tree planting campaign earlier than we used to, it gladdens my heart that today we are also commencing the distribution of over 5.5 million assorted seedlings produced in our nurseries across the 27 LGAs in the state.”
“Let me at this stage express our sincere gratitude to the World-Bank Assisted ACReSAL Project for complementing the efforts of the state government in building environmental resilience and significantly improving the greenery of our environment.
In the same vein, I would also like to express our appreciation to the Great Green Wall (GGW) Project in Jigawa State, with whom we are partnering to protect and safeguard the environment,” the governor emphasized.
“I am aware that the Great Green Wall Project is also establishing shelter belts, woodlots, and orchards across the frontline Local Governments in the state, which will go a long way in complementing the efforts of the state government.”
