By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
No fewer than 9, 842 hectares of impacted land would be restored to provide relief and protection to over 213, 000 people in Bauchi metropolitan area under the Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.
The project, a World Bank-supported initiative, is also to channeled more than 40 million cubic meters of water annually for productive use including irrigation and other economic activities, including irrigation farming within the catchment areas.
Flagging-off the multifaceted project on Dass Road by-pass of Bauchi metropolis, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed said that it was awarded at a cost of N29.6 billion, with 40 percent of the total sum already paid to the contractor as mobilization.
He said, “This is exactly what ACResal initiative stands for, integrating environment sustainability, agriculture, water resources management and livelihood enhancement in one comprehensive developmental framework”.
Senator Bala Mohammed explained that with 40 percent of the total project cost paid
(29, 689, 943, 588. 60k), the contractor, Triacta Nigeria Ltd, has no any excuse to come for argumentation, “unless of course engineering is a dynamic thing, we would likely have other areas that we will bring into play”.
According to him, in inline with his administration commitment to transparency, accountability and the value for money, the contract was awarded through a competitive procurement process guided by World Bank standard.
Governor Mohammed said the project reflects his administration’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, urban renewal, public health, economic growth, and the overall well-being of the people.
He recalled that flooding and erosion have over the years destroyed homes, farmlands, roads, plots of land, and means of livelihood of affected communities, while also claiming lives and leaving thousands of families in fear and uncertainty.
The Governor also gave some communities that will benefit from the project which include Sabon Kaura, Wintin Dada, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Tambari Housing Estate down to Yelwa Bridge, Bauchi State College of Agriculture, and Gwallagan Mayakan among other communities.
The governor further explained that poor drainage systems and unmanaged erosion not only damage infrastructure and the environment but also pose serious public health risks to the people.
He observed that the intervention would significantly improve security in affected communities, saying that abandoned erosion corridors and degraded environments often serve as hideouts for criminal activities and restrict movement, especially during the rainy season.
“By restoring these areas, improving access roads, and reclaiming degraded lands, we are creating safer, more organized, and economically vibrant communities,” he said, describing the project as a demonstration of his administration’s belief that environmental restoration can drive economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
Mohammed said that the contractor would work under the supervision of a competent consulting firm alongside engineers and technical experts from relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and the ACReSAL Project Implementation Unit to ensure strict compliance with quality standards and specifications.
Senator Bala Mohammed assured that the state government would not compromise on quality, transparency, or project timelines, insisting that the people deserve durable and world-class infrastructure.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Hon. Dallami Ahmad Kawule, described the project as another historic milestone in Bauchi State’s environmental protection efforts.
Kawule said that the intervention would not only address flooding and environmental degradation but also stimulate economic growth, improve public health, and enhance security in affected communities.
The commissioner, who also serves as chairman of the ACReSAL Steering Committee, commended Governor Bala for initiating and supporting what he described as a people-oriented project aimed at addressing flooding, erosion, and other environmental challenges across the state.
Also speaking, the ACReSAL project coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, described the initiative as a life-transforming intervention that would restore livelihoods and improve living conditions for residents along the Tsohon Kamfani to Gwallagan Mayaka corridor.
Kabir disclosed that under the Livelihood Restoration Support Programme, the project had procured empowerment materials, including sewing machines, grinding machines, and other equipment to support affected residents, particularly those that may be relocated as a result of the project.
Kabir added that apart from tackling erosion and flooding, the project is also designed to support irrigation farming around the outflow areas of Gwallagan Mayaka.
The Emir of Bauchi, Dr. Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu has in a remark commended the state government under the leadership of Senator Bala Mohammed for taking proactive steps to protect communities from the devastating effects of flooding and erosion.
Represented by the Waziri of Bauchi, Alhaji Uba Ahmad Kari, the Emir said the project demonstrates the governor’s commitment to environmental sustainability, resilience, and the welfare of the people
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