By Abdulwahab Muhammad Senior Special Assistant Communication to Governor Bala Abdulkadir of Bauchi
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has officially inaugurated and flagged off a major environmental protection and flood mitigation initiative under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project aimed at addressing decades of erosion and flooding challenges across Bauchi metropolis.The groundbreaking ceremony, held along Sabon Qaura Road in the New GRA area of Bauchi, marked the commencement of rehabilitation, stabilization and channelization works stretching from Tsohon Kamfani to Gwallagan Mayaka in Bauchi Local Government Area.The World Bank-assisted ACReSAL initiative, being implemented in partnership with the Federal Government and the Bauchi State Government, is designed to tackle environmental degradation, improve water resource management and strengthen agricultural productivity across vulnerable communities.Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Bala Mohammed described the project as a strategic intervention aimed at protecting lives, homes and economic activities from the devastating impact of flooding and erosion that have plagued several communities for years.According to the Governor, communities including Sabon Kaura, Wuntin Dada, Tambari Housing Estate and areas surrounding Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic have repeatedly suffered destruction caused by uncontrolled stormwater and expanding erosion corridors during rainy seasons.He explained that what initially began as minor flood pathways had expanded into massive gullies measuring over sixty meters wide and fifty meters deep in some areas, causing extensive destruction to roads, homes, farmlands and public infrastructure.Governor Bala Mohammed noted that the intervention aligns with his administration’s environmental sustainability and urban renewal agenda under the “My Bauchi Project” vision, emphasizing that the state government has fulfilled its financial obligations required for the execution of the project.The Governor further disclosed that the intervention is expected to restore about 9,842 hectares of degraded land, protect over 213,000 residents and channel more than 40 million cubic meters of water annually for irrigation and productive agricultural activities.He stated that beyond addressing flooding and erosion, the project would also improve sanitation, reduce environmental hazards, support irrigation farming and create economic opportunities for benefiting communities.Governor Bala Mohammed commended the World Bank, the Federal Government and the ACReSAL programme for partnering with Bauchi State in restoring hope to communities affected by environmental disasters, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering people-oriented projects that improve the quality of life of citizens.Earlier, the State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, described the intervention as one of the most complex environmental restoration projects currently being undertaken in Nigeria.Dr. Ibrahim Kabir explained that extensive consultations had been carried out with affected communities to ensure transparency, accountability and smooth implementation of the project.He disclosed that traditional institutions and community representatives had been integrated into site monitoring committees to strengthen local participation and ownership throughout the execution period.The ACReSAL Coordinator also revealed that vulnerable residents affected by relocation arrangements had been provided with livelihood support items including sewing machines, grinding machines and empowerment assistance, while additional irrigation support programmes would be introduced to boost dry-season farming activities around Gwallagan Mayaka.Also speaking, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Danlami Ahmed Kawule, described the initiative as another milestone in the administration’s infrastructure development and urban renewal drive.He noted that the project would significantly improve environmental safety, drainage systems and infrastructure sustainability within Bauchi metropolis.In his remarks, the Managing Director of Triacta Nigeria Limited, Elias Abu Farha, assured residents that the company would execute the project in accordance with international engineering standards and approved specifications.Representing the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu, the Wazirin Bauchi, Alhaji Uba Kari, applauded the government for responding to the long-standing environmental concerns affecting the affected communities and urged residents to cooperate with contractors to ensure the successful completion of the project.Other dignitaries at the ceremony included the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Abubakar Y. Suleiman, the Executive Chairman of Bauchi Local Government Area, Mahmood Babamaji Abubakar, District Head of Miri, Hussaini Abubakar Othman, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Environment, Yamai Mohammed, alongside community leaders and residents from benefiting areas.Stakeholders at the event unanimously described the flood and erosion control initiative as a life-changing project capable of transforming vulnerable communities and safeguarding future generations from environmental disasters.
