By Abdullahi Inuwa
More than 50,000 residents of Birnin Kebbi metropolis are set to benefit from a major environmental intervention as the Kebbi State Government and the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) Project begin work to reclaim lands ravaged by gully erosion and flooding.
The intervention, which covers parts of Badariya and Dukku Malala communities, is being positioned not only as an erosion-control project but also as a livelihood protection initiative aimed at restoring farmlands, safeguarding infrastructure and reducing the growing risks posed by climate-related disasters.
The Kebbi State Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Musa Tungulawa, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on the commencement of the projects.
Tungulawa said the intervention was designed to confront the environmental damage that has progressively threatened homes, roads, agricultural land, businesses and other valuable community assets.
He explained that the project would combine engineering solutions with bio-engineering measures to control storm-water, check the expansion of gullies and prevent further degradation of land.
According to him, two erosion-control and bio-engineering sites are located in Badariya under Lot 1, while another two sites are situated in Dukku Malala under Lot 2.
The projects, he said, were awarded to a Nigerian construction company and are being implemented through collaboration between the state Ministry of Environment and the Kebbi ACRESAL Project, with support from the World Bank.
Tungulawa said one of the major objectives was to reclaim degraded land and restore areas that could once again support productive agricultural activities.
He noted that particular attention would be given to agricultural and Fadama areas, where improved storm-water management, water harvesting and controlled channelling could help restore the productivity of the land.
For residents whose livelihoods depend on farming and other land-based economic activities, the commissioner said the intervention would provide an opportunity to reduce the environmental threats that have continued to undermine their economic activities.
He explained that controlling erosion and flooding would also help protect roads, houses and other critical infrastructure from further damage.
Beyond the physical construction works, Tungulawa said the intervention was expected to strengthen the ability of communities to withstand future climate-related challenges.
He said improved water management would enhance water availability, support agricultural productivity and contribute to the restoration of livelihoods.
The commissioner further said the projects would help create safer living environments by reducing environmental hazards associated with uncontrolled floodwater and expanding gullies.
“This is not simply about controlling gullies; it is about protecting communities, restoring productive land and strengthening livelihoods,” the commissioner said.
The intervention comes amid growing concerns over the impact of environmental degradation and changing weather patterns on vulnerable communities, particularly areas where flooding and erosion can rapidly destroy farmland and infrastructure.
Tungulawa also moved to reassure residents who may be affected by the execution of the projects, saying the government had put measures in place under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP).
He said all eligible Project Affected Persons (PAPs) would be identified, assessed and compensated in accordance with the approved arrangements.
The assurance is expected to address concerns that could arise from construction activities in areas where homes, farms or other economic assets may fall within the project corridors.
The commissioner stressed that the government would work to ensure that the environmental intervention achieves its objectives while protecting the interests of affected residents.
With work now underway in Badariya and Dukku Malala, the project is expected to bring a combination of erosion control, flood management and land restoration to communities that have faced environmental pressures for years.
For Kebbi, the intervention also represents an attempt to turn vulnerable landscapes into productive spaces by protecting farmland, preserving infrastructure and creating conditions for communities to sustain their economic activities.
As construction progresses, residents and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how effectively the intervention translates into safer communities, reclaimed land and stronger protection against future flooding and erosion.
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