Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, on Saturday flagged off a N34 billion flood and gully erosion control project in Rigasa and disbursed about N2 billion in compensation to 1,000 residents whose properties will be affected by the project.

The project, which stretches from Rigasa to Tudun Wada wards in Igabi Local Government Area and Kaduna South Local Government Area, is aimed at addressing decades of recurring flooding and gully erosion that have claimed lives and destroyed property in the area.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Sani said the project, described as the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, would provide a lasting solution to a problem that has persisted for more than 40 years.

He said the state government had fulfilled its promise not to demolish any property without first paying adequate compensation to affected owners.

“This government has promised that we will not demolish anyone’s property until we have paid adequate compensation. That is why we paid compensation worth N2 billion today to about 1,000 people whose houses will be affected by the project,” the governor said.

Sani disclosed that his administration has so far paid more than N5 billion in compensation for projects across the state, stressing that development should not come at the expense of citizens’ livelihoods.

According to him, the intervention will reduce flooding and land degradation, protect homes and public infrastructure, preserve economic assets, restore environmental stability and improve the safety of communities long affected by recurring disasters.

Earlier, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, commended the governor for prioritising investments in environmentally vulnerable communities across the state.

Buba said the Rigasa–Tudun Wada intervention covers a distance of 17.8 kilometres and, when completed, will improve environmental conditions and enhance the socio-economic well-being of more than 500,000 residents living within the project corridor.

He added that the project would strengthen Kaduna State’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading sub-national governments in environmental sustainability.

(Photo Credit: National Accord Newspaper)