The Borno government has intensified efforts to control flooding through river dredging, culvert and drainage construction, and other water-management interventions.

Babagana Sa’ad, secretary of the Borno High Committee on Flood and Water-Related Matters, disclosed this on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Mr Sa’ad said the measures were part of the government’s proactive approach to preventing flooding and mitigating its impact on communities vulnerable to water-related disasters.

He said the committee had been working with relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to assess annual flood forecasts and develop appropriate preparedness measures.

According to him, the committee recently reviewed the 2026 flood outlook in collaboration with NiMet and NEMA.

He said Maiduguri was not listed as a flood-risk area in the 2026 forecast, while Shani and Mobar local government areas were identified as areas with potential flooding risks.

Mr Sa’ad said the government subsequently deployed measures to mitigate the impact of possible flooding in the affected areas.

He explained that an enlarged culvert was constructed at Damasak in Mobar after assessments showed that an existing culvert was undersized and contributed to recurrent flooding in the area.

The secretary said the committee also constituted a subcommittee to assess flooding around Bargu in Shani council area.

He said the assessment established that siltation in the Bargu River was restricting the free flow of water and causing the river to overflow its banks.

“The Bargu River has been dredged and a substantial volume of sand removed to give free flow of stormwater,” he said.

Mr Sa’ad said the intervention had helped reduce flooding in the area, adding that the committee had recommended constructing Reno mattresses along vulnerable sections of the riverbank to provide additional protection against erosion.

He described Reno mattresses as slope-protection structures designed to stabilise riverbanks and prevent further erosion.

The official said the 2024 flood also caused significant damage along the Dikwa road, where floodwater cut off the federal highway and created difficulties for residents and travellers.

He said although the road was a federal road, the state government constructed a 10-cell culvert at the location to allow stormwater to flow freely.

Mr Sa’ad added that the government had constructed several drainage systems through the Ministry of Works, Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) and the Ministry of Environment across the state.

According to him, the drainage projects are designed to collect and channel runoff water away from communities and reduce flood risk.

He said the committee had also identified and cleared River Tiffa and River Kifi, as well as water channels from Bulunkutu and Gomari leading to River Ngadabul and onward through Kano Motor Park to River Yezram.

He explained that the clearing aimed to restore the free flow of water and reduce pressure on waterways and riverbanks.

Mr Sa’ad said the government’s flood and erosion control measures also included tree-planting campaigns and watershed management initiatives. He urged residents to complement government efforts by avoiding dumping refuse in drainage channels, keeping waterways clear, and supporting measures aimed at protecting riverbanks.

He stressed that effective flood control required sustained collaboration among government agencies, traditional institutions and communities.

Mr Sa’ad said the interventions were expected to improve safety, mobility, and livelihoods in vulnerable communities while reducing damage from flooding and erosion.

(NAN)