Residents of Bauchi State have been cautioned against constructing buildings on waterways and obstructing the free flow of excess water, as these actions can lead to flooding.
This warning was issued by the State Government through the Commissioner of Housing and Environment, Rt. Hon. Danlami Ahmed Kawule, during a one-day stakeholders’ engagement on flood preparedness and response planned for 2026.
The event was organised by the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in Bauchi.
Kawule emphasised the government’s readiness to prevent devastating flooding, following a flood alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency and other weather monitoring bodies.
He urged residents to refrain from building on waterways and from discarding waste in drainage systems, as these actions hinder the free flow of excess water and increase the risk of flooding.
The stakeholders’ engagement meeting was convened to educate important community members, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, community representatives, and media personnel, about the measures put in place to protect lives and property ahead of the peak rainy season in August.
He said that, “Today, we are having a roundtable discussion with critical stakeholders to create awareness on how to protect ourselves from flooding. The key to protecting people from floods is awareness.”
The Commissioner added, “That is why we invited religious leaders, traditional rulers and other organisations to discuss with them. We believe they will return to their communities, pass the message and work with us.”
He then urged residents to refrain from activities that increase the risk of flooding, stressing that if the way is blocked, water will always find another way around the normal course, thereby resulting in devastating damage.
“The message is simple. We are asking people not to build on waterways and not to dump waste in drainage. These are some of the issues we discussed with stakeholders because they are essential to protecting lives and property,” he said.
Danlami Ahmed Kawule warned that violators of environmental regulations would face sanctions in accordance with the law.
According to him, “There are agencies responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations. Anyone who refuses to follow the rules will be dealt with according to the law.”