The Kaduna State government and its partners say they will sustain dredging, clearing of debris on River Kaduna to ensure free flow of water to minimise flood risks.

Abubakar Buba, commissioner for environment and natural resources, made this known on Wednesday during an assessment of the ongoing dredging and desilting activities on the river and its major waterways.

The assessment was conducted alongside officials of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project and the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA).

According to him, the visit was to reinforce and realign government’s efforts in managing the river, as well as to assess the situation of communities along the riverbanks affected by flooding despite ongoing interventions.

The commissioner commended the collaboration of key partners including ACReSAL, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

He said the agencies had been proactive in desilting drainage systems, clearing river channels and supporting the state’s preparedness ahead of the rainy season.

Mr Buba stated that the initiative demonstrated the commitment of Gov. Uba Sani’s administration to protecting the lives and property of the citizens in flood-prone areas.

545 households were displaced after two days of torrential rainfall, with 171 houses also damaged across communities in Kaduna North Local Government Area of the state.

(NAN)