Sani Haruna
The Kebbi State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) Project, has commenced major gully erosion control and bio-engineering works in Badariya and Dukku Malala communities in Birnin Kebbi metropolis.
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The State Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Musa Tungulawa, disclosed this at a press conference in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
He said the projects were being implemented by the State Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Kebbi ACRESAL Project, with support from the World Bank.
According to him, the interventions are expected to benefit more than 50,000 residents of the affected communities.
Tungulawa explained that the projects comprise two erosion control and bio-engineering sites in Badariya Community under Lot One, and two additional sites in Dukku Malala Community under Lot Two.
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He said the two contracts had been awarded to a construction company in Nigeria for execution.
The commissioner explained that the interventions were designed to check the expansion of gullies, flooding and soil degradation, which he said had affected homes, farmlands, roads, businesses and other community assets over the years.
He said the projects would also restore and reclaim degraded lands, particularly agricultural and Fadama areas, through improved storm-water management, water harvesting and controlled channelling.
According to him, the interventions would improve water availability and agricultural productivity, restore livelihoods, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of communities to flooding, erosion and other climate-related challenges.
The commissioner added that the projects would create safer living conditions and support sustainable socio-economic activities by restoring productive lands and reducing environmental risks.
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Tungulawa also assured Project Affected Persons (PAPs) that adequate arrangements had been made for the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).
He said all eligible affected persons would be identified, assessed and appropriately compensated in line with the provisions of the resettlement plan.