By Sani Dutsinma
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, Dukku Malala communities in the Birnin Kebbi metropolis.
The 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 adding that, the interventions are expected to benefit more than 50,000 people in the affected communities.
Musa Tungulawa explained that, the projects comprises two erosion control and bio-engineering sites in Badariya Community under Lot 1, and two additional sites in Dukku Malala Community under Lot 2, as both contracts were awarded to a construction company in Nigeria.
He explained that, the interventions would help check the expansion of gullies, flooding and soil degradation that have over the years, affected homes, farmlands, roads, businesses and other community assets.
The commissioner said the works would restore and reclaim degraded lands, particularly agricultural and Fadama areas, through improved storm-water management, water harvesting and controlled channelling.
According to him, the projects would improve water availability and agricultural productivity, restore livelihoods, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of communities against flooding, erosion and other climate-related challenges.
He added that, the intervention would also create safer living conditions and support sustainable socio-economic activities by restoring productive lands and reducing environmental risks.
Tungulawa also assured Project Affected Persons (PAPs) that adequate arrangements had been made for the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), as all eligible affected persons would be identified, assessed and compensated.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
