By Abdullahi Lukman
The Jigawa State Government has deployed 20 speedboats to improve evacuation and emergency response operations ahead of the 2026 rainy season in flood-prone communities across the state.
Hamza Muhammad, Special Adviser to Governor Umar Namadi on Environment, disclosed this on Sunday during an interview in Dutse on Friday.
He said the move was part of proactive measures to reduce the impact of flooding predicted for 2026 by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
According to Muhammad, the speedboats would help rescue residents trapped in affected areas and ensure faster emergency response during flooding incidents.
He explained that the state government began implementing flood prevention strategies in February following directives from Governor Namadi to safeguard lives and property in vulnerable communities.
Muhammad added that the government had intensified erosion control efforts through tree planting, land reclamation, desilting of waterways, construction of shelter belts, and watershed management to prevent river overflows.
He also disclosed that the state was collaborating with agencies including NIHSA, NiMet, NEMA, UNICEF, the National Water Research Agency, and the Nigerian Red Cross to develop contingency plans for flood emergencies.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Hannafi Yakubu, said the agency had carried out sensitisation campaigns to educate residents on flood risks and safety measures.
Yakubu revealed that the 2026 seasonal climate prediction identified 11 local government areas likely to be affected by flooding, including Ringim, Hadejia, Auyo, Kafin Hausa, Guri, and Kiri Kasamma.
He stated that speedboats would be deployed in deep-water areas, while canoes would be used in shallow waters during rescue operations. He added that relief materials had also been procured for residents who might be displaced by floods.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Government has inaugurated a N29 billion erosion and flood control project aimed at protecting lives and restoring degraded environments.
Governor Bala Mohammed, while inaugurating the project, said it would rehabilitate 9,842 hectares of degraded land, benefit more than 213,000 residents, and improve water management for irrigation and other economic activities.
He explained that erosion control projects would be executed in parts of Bauchi metropolis, while flood control measures would extend to downstream communities across the state.
According to the governor, the initiative would also help reduce water-related diseases, improve security, and support economic growth through agriculture and small-scale businesses.
