The major environmental challenges in Katsina State are erosion, desertification, drought and flood. These challenges are posing great risks to basic infrastructure like roads, power and electrical installations, houses and farmlands.
The state, being among the frontline states neighbouring Niger Republic, makes it more vulnerable to these environmental issues. Most affected local governmnet areas are Daura, Mai’adua, Zango, Sandamu, Baure, Jibia, Kaita, Mashi and Katsina. The other LGAs also suffer varying degrees of devastation.
Environmental challenges, according to experts, are interwoven and mainly caused by actions and inactions of inhabitants of the area. Most of these have to do with building on water ways, unnecessary tree felling as well as digging up sand for building and climate change.
Around the state capital, one is bound to come across several erosion sites that are widening by the day, exposing the inhabitants to grave dangers.
Several fertile farmlands are being turned to ‘dead land’ as erosion is forcing farmers to relocate due to its devastating effect.
The city’s ring road, as observed by this reporter, is the most vulnerable; most places along the road, are losing their soil as erosion gradually takes effect on them. The electrical poles are about to give way as they have deeply been washed up and may fall at any given time.
At Muhammadu Buhari estate (Police estate) along Kaita road, the fence has collapse and the road is being eaten up as well.
A resident, John Hassan said, “We are afraid, given the level at which the erosion is widening. We moved into the area only last year and look at how the walls are showing signs of stress. Soon it will reach our main houses, officials have been coming to take a look but we have not heard from them ever since.”
It was gathered that residents of Dutsen Safe low cost have taken to self help to try and mitigate the effects of erosion in the area.
They had to construct a water way and reinforce it with sand bags to prevent the road from collapsing.
Umar Bishir said, “We have registered our complaint and are also working at community level to educate residents on the need for collaboration to ease the problem.”
Worried by the menace, the state government came up with a five-year flood and erosion control plan, to be excuted in three phases.
According to the proposal, the short term (Phase I – 2015/2016) comprised of Assessment of Ecological issues reported across the state, replacement of culverts and improvement of drainages, dredging of divisional canal and drainage channel, construction of masonry retaining wall and drainage.
Others include, construction of reinforced concrete lined drain with cover slab, construction of an access culvert, pipe convert and laterite filling, provision of monitoring vehicles, office equipment and working tools and supervision among others.
The second phase (Phase II – 2016/2017) comprised of consultancy services for the assessment, design and supervision of flood and erosion control projects for 46 project sites across the state; construction of masonry line drainage in 20 project sites; construction of dyke embankment, reinforced concrete retaining walls and biological control at Kauyen Jabbo, Malumfashi LGA.
Others are construction of RC retaining walls, masonry line drain, culvert and laterite filling in five sites; RC retaining wall, rip rap protection and laterite filling at Ketare, Kankara LGA and Layin Makera, Kafur LGA among others.
The Medium Term (Phase III, 2017-2020) shall focus on addressing ecological challenges in the 34 Local Government Areas.
The state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, said in 2017 alone, the state government released the sum of N2.6 billion to facilitate the implementation of Phase III of Flood and Erosion Control projects including community sensitization, projects design and supervision.
He said one of the obligations of the state government in respect of the Ecological Fund Account is the payment of 2 per cent statutory contribution. The state government under the 2017 financial year released the sum of N1.06 billion as its 2 per cent contribution to the Ecological Fund Account from June, 2015 – June, 2017.
“To facilitate early completion of the contracts awarded for the construction of re-enforced concrete drainages around Yarinchi area in Katsina metropolis, the government has under the 2017 financial year released over N410 million for payment to contractors and consultants,” he said.
Also, the sum of N602,9 million was released by the state government to settle outstanding balances in respect of Phase II of Flood and Erosion Control Projects in 43 selected communities across the state.
