Kano state government has reiterated it’s dedication to issues of climate change, environmental pollution and drainage enroachment.
Kano state Commissioner of Environment, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim Getso made the disclosure shortly after defending the ministry’s budget, before House standing committee on environment.
According to him, other critical areas include environmental sanitation, encroachment of drainages with temporary and permanent structures, flooding and indiscriminate dumping of refuse.
The commissioner described climate change as a major catalyst to flooding saying that other factors such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water ways, and drainage encroachment led to the flooding at Kantin Kwari market, as reported by the committee set up by the state government to investigate the root cause of the disaster.
Dr. Kabiru Getso highlighted that countries were advised to put on their front banner on the issue of climate change at the just concluded COP27 conference, held in Egypt.
He noted that, the state government was currently redesigning the state’s drainage system, to mitigate flooding in addition to the passage and assent of the state pollution control law, which would go a long way in addressing environmental challenges.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary Kano Water shed Erosion and Climate Management Agency (WECMA), Alhaji Musa Shu’aibu said, as a new agency, the 2023 proposed budget would focus attention on setting up new offices, complementary and preventive erosion works as well as climate change adaptation, among others.
Responding, chairman House standing committee on environment, Alhaji Musa Ali Kachako highlighted that, the bilateral discussions between the government representatives and the legislative arm, was to augment some priority programs within the ministry of environment.
He said, funds were sourced within the budget to finance drainage clearance, public convenience and global warming.
The chairman maintained that, the proposed budget would also accord special consideration to counter funding interventions, by the world bank and similar agencies, for the government to be fully prepared whenever such issues arise.
Alhaji Musa Ali explained that, development of 20 water shed plants and implementation of five water shed plants, delineation, and tree planting are some of the important programs, under the newly established Kano Water shed Erosion and Climate Management Agency.
KHADIJAH ALIYU