Jigawa State government is battle ready for this year’s flooding, with 20 speed boats on standby for evacuation and emergency response services.
Hamza Muhammad, Special Adviser to Governor Umar Namadi on Environment, in an interview, said that the measure is aimed at ensuring prompt evacuation of victims trapped in flood prone communities.
Hamza Muhammad, who is the Co-Chair of the Technical Committee on Flood Mitigation, in the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority HJRBDA, said that the state is determined to mitigate the disaster.
He said that the state government will respond promptly to the climate seasonal predictions by the Nigerian Metrological Agency NiMET and Nigerian Hydrological Service Agency NHSA.
“We are not taking the information for granted. We are committed to ensure the safety of lives and property of our citizens.
“The state governor directed the technical working committee on flooding, to take actions through proactive and preventing measures, especially in flood prone communities.
“We have been working tirelessly since February this year to reduce the impact of flooding as predicted by the agencies.”
He said that the government also embarked on a comprehensive erosion control programme through massive tree planting, reclamation of eroded lands, shelter belts, water sheds and desilt exercise to prevent river overflowing.
According to Hamza Muhammad, the committee is collaborating with water related agencies in Kano and neighbouring states, NHSA, NiMET, National Water Research Agency, NEMA, UNICEF and Red Cross Nigeria, to provide a contingency plan to reduce the effect of the disaster.
This was even as the Executive Secretary, SEMA, Hannafi Yakubu said that the agency has conducted sensitisation activities to create awareness on the dangers and safety tips of the disaster.
He said that the 2026 seasonal prediction indicated that flood would affect 11 local government areas of the state.
He listed the affected areas to include Ringim; Taura, Jahun, Miga, Malam Madori, Kaugama, Kafin Hausa, Auyo, Hadejia, Guri and Kiri Kasamma.
“Speed boats will be deploy to deep waters, while the canoes will be used in areas with shallow waters for the rescue mission.
“The agency also procured food and non-food items for emergency response in case of displacement caused by flooding.”
