Tukur Muntari
With the rainy season fast approaching, the Kano State Government has concluded plans to clear drainage systems across the state to prevent possible flooding, especially within the metropolis
The State Commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Nasiru Sule Garo, disclosed this in an interview with Arewa PUNCH in Kano on Monday.
It was gathered that aside from the state capital, other major towns in the state are also part of the clean-up plan.
The commissioner who spoke through the Director, Public Enlightenment of the Ministry, Samaila Gwammaja, said the measure was necessary to avoid loss of lives and property as well as to reduce the level of damage.
“As you are aware, Kano is one of the 31 states that has been identified by the Federal Government to be hit by flood during this year’s rainy season.
“So, based on that prediction, even though it may not be true, we decided to take some measures in order to avoid possible flooding in the state,” he explained.
Garo said during the clean-up exercise, all blocked drainages would be evacuated to ensure the free flow of wastewater in addition to removing all temporary structures mounted drainages within and around the city.
He added, “So, I can assure the people of the state that the Kano State government is taking every necessary step and measure to prevent flooding, which has been a recurring phenomenon in the past.”
The commissioner also disclosed that the government had also commenced a public awareness campaign against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other unwanted materials into waterways and drains as well as on the streets.
“This is part of the renewed measures being taken to check the adverse effects of such ugly attitudes on the environment as well as to address the various environmental challenges bedevilling the state.
“The growing level of pollution as a result of dumping unwanted materials in drains and drainages is causing a serious health hazard to the residents, especially in the state capital,” Garo said.
He disclosed that the state government had procured additional trucks to ensure proper waste disposal at the collection centres across the state capital.
According to the commissioner, the monthly environmental sanitation exercise being observed by the state government is part of an effort to ensure that the capital is clean and tidy.
He added, “We shall continue to sustain the monthly environmental sanitation as one of the measures taken by the government to check indiscriminate dumping of refuse and keep the state clean.”
Gwammaja disclosed that the State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had recently launched a campaign to plant three million trees across the 44 local government areas of the state as part of the state’s desertification project.
The commissioner warned the people to desist from indiscriminate felling of trees without seeking permission from the relevant authority.
“I want to use this opportunity to warn people against indiscriminate felling of trees without getting permission from the relevant agencies or authorities,” Garo said.
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