Kebbi, W/Bank, begin erosion control

File photo: Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris.

The Kebbi State Government, in partnership with the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project, has commenced gully erosion and flood control works in Badariya and Dukku Malala communities in Birnin Kebbi.

The Commissioner for Environment, Musa Tungulawa, disclosed this on Tuesday during a news conference in Birnin Kebbi, saying the intervention was aimed at protecting communities and restoring lands affected by erosion and flooding.

According to him, the projects are expected to directly and indirectly benefit more than 50,000 residents in the two communities and surrounding areas.

Tungulawa said the intervention comprised two erosion control and bio-engineering sites in Badariya under Lot 1 and two additional sites in Dukku Malala under Lot 2.

He explained that the contracts were awarded to A.G. Vision Construction Nigeria Ltd. after a procurement process conducted in accordance with World Bank regulations.

“The commencement of these World Bank-supported projects represents a major relief and a significant milestone in our efforts to protect communities, save lives, restore degraded lands, reclaim lost productive areas and safeguard the livelihoods of our people,” Tungulawa said.

He said the collaboration with the World Bank through ACRESAL was providing the state with an opportunity to tackle longstanding environmental challenges through sustainable erosion control and climate-resilience measures.

The commissioner explained that the projects were designed to address the expansion of gullies, flooding and soil degradation, which had affected homes, farmlands, roads, businesses and other community assets.

He noted that the intervention would restore degraded agricultural and Fadama lands through improved storm-water management, water harvesting and controlled channelling.

Tungulawa added that the projects would also improve water availability, enhance agricultural productivity, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen the resilience of communities to flooding, erosion and other climate-related challenges.

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He said the projects had a completion period of 15 months but that the state government had directed the contractor to mobilise sufficient equipment and personnel to substantially complete the works ahead of schedule.

“While we appreciate the support of the World Bank through the ACRESAL Project, the government will not compromise quality, safety or the required technical standards in the execution of these projects,” he said.

On the impact of the projects on residents, Tungulawa said the government is working within the World Bank’s applicable environmental and social safeguard requirements to ensure that affected persons are properly treated.

He stressed that arrangements had been made for the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan, adding that eligible Project Affected Persons would be identified, assessed and compensated.

“The government remains committed to ensuring that the resettlement and compensation process under this World Bank-supported intervention is transparent, fair and carried out in a manner that protects the rights, livelihoods and interests of all affected persons,” the commissioner said.

He appealed to residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with the contractor, technical personnel, the ACRESAL team and other project stakeholders to ensure successful implementation.

Tungulawa also urged residents to protect the completed facilities and avoid activities capable of weakening or damaging the erosion control structures.

He commended Governor Nasir Idris for supporting efforts to address environmental challenges in the state and acknowledged the contributions of the State Project Coordinator, Ahmad Isa-Tela, the Kebbi ACRESAL team and the World Bank-supported programme.

The commissioner expressed optimism that the intervention would provide sustainable solutions to erosion and flooding in Badariya, Dukku Malala and neighbouring communities.