The Kebbi State Government has awarded a contract for the execution of a mega erosion-control project in the Badariya and Malala areas of Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Musa Muhammad Tungulawa, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi.
According to the Commissioner, the project was initiated in 2004 but was abandoned by successive administrations.
He said the administration of Governor Nasir Idris has now awarded the contract as part of efforts to address the longstanding environmental challenges in the affected communities.
Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change Tungulawa, explained that the contractor has already mobilised to site ahead of the official flag-off of the project by the Governor.
He added that the state government has constituted a committee to take an inventory of houses and other structures that may be affected by the project, while another committee has been established to handle compensation for affected persons.
The Commissioner estimates that about 50,000 people will benefit directly and indirectly from the erosion control programme.
They include households exposed to flooding and erosion, farmers, land-dependent residents, businesses and other community members whose livelihoods are connected to the affected areas.
Tungulawa said the project is expected to protect communities, save lives, restore degraded land and reclaim areas affected by erosion and flooding.
For years, residents of the affected communities have faced the consequences of gully erosion, flooding and environmental degradation, which have threatened homes, farmlands and livelihoods.
On completion, the Commissioner said the project will also provide water-control infrastructure that could support livestock development and irrigation farming.
The erosion control project is expected to be completed within 15 months.
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