The Kano State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling environmental degradation, flood risks, and erosion challenges across affected communities.
The State Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Muhammad Hashim, gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection visit to the Bulbula Gayawa erosion site in Nasarawa and Ungogo Local Government Areas of Kano, as part of activities marking this year’s World Environment Day, observed globally on June 5 under the United Nations framework to raise awareness on environmental protection.
Dr Hashim said the visit was both commemorative and evaluative, aimed at assessing ongoing intervention projects under the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, particularly efforts targeted at flood control and erosion management.
According to him, the Bulbula Gayawa erosion site remains one of the most severe environmental challenges in the state, stretching over four kilometres and affecting surrounding communities that have struggled with the menace for decades.
He noted that although the project had been widely doubted in the past due to its scale and complexity, construction works officially commenced about a year ago and have since reached significant stages of completion. He said, “This community has waited for this intervention for many years. During the campaign period, His Excellency promised to address this site, and today we are witnessing real progress on the ground.”
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SolaceBase reports that the commissioner described the erosion site as not only an environmental hazard but also a social and security concern, citing incidents of flooding, loss of lives, restricted mobility, and other community challenges. He recalled that the area had, at some point, recorded tragic loss of children due to erosion-related incidents.
He added that the intervention project is expected to restore safety, improve public health conditions, and boost economic activities in the affected communities once completed.
Speaking further on the engineering components of the project, Dr Hashim explained that the erosion site has expanded significantly over time. What was initially designed with about two channels (“fingers”) has now grown to 13 due to continued environmental degradation.
He disclosed that the project includes the construction of five bridges, some of which are already completed, while others are scheduled for reconstruction in line with technical assessments and seasonal considerations.
Dr Hashim also expressed concern over indiscriminate waste disposal into waterways, describing it as a major threat to the sustainability of the project. He warned that such practices could undermine government efforts if not urgently addressed by community members, calling for stronger cooperation to protect the infrastructure.
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He further stressed the importance of safeguarding children and residents from exposure to hazardous construction zones, especially in light of recent cholera outbreaks. He added that sensitization efforts and warning signs have been placed at the site to restrict access and ensure public safety.
The commissioner concluded by commending the resilience of affected communities and reaffirming the government’s determination to deliver lasting solutions to the state’s environmental challenges. He expressed optimism that despite the initial 16-month contract period and subsequent adjustments, the project would be completed within one year, saying, “We are hopeful that within the next year, insha’Allah, this project will be fully delivered.”
Regarding the project implementation, the Project Coordinator for Kano ACReSAL, Aminu Gidado, said the Gayawa erosion channel spans 10 to 16 meters in width and extends up to 2.8 kilometres to the discharge point where it meets River Jakara.
He described the system as a strategic drainage network serving a large portion of Kano metropolis, including GRA, Nasarawa, Tarauni, and surrounding communities. He disclosed that the project includes five major bridges located at intervals of 210 meters, 510 meters, 2 kilometres, 2.3 kilometres, and 2.6 kilometers, with some designed for vehicular use.
Gidado said three existing vehicular bridges have been retained after passing integrity tests, while one bridge at Gada area is set for demolition and reconstruction due to structural concerns. He added that early rainfall events have already begun restoring community confidence, as fear of flooding in the area is gradually reducing.
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He noted that community cooperation has been strong, though the major challenge remains indiscriminate waste dumping into the drainage system. According to him, the project meets high engineering standards, with Grade 25 concrete being used and the contractor, Habibi Engineering, bringing over four decades of experience.
He further explained that quality assurance is being strictly enforced through weekly sampling, independent laboratory testing, and collaboration with experts, including the Department of Civil Engineering at Bayero University Kano. Technical meetings are held twice monthly on site, alongside monthly management reviews to ensure accountability and timely corrections.
