Residents of Katsina State have been urged to stop dumping waste in water channels to help reduce the yearly floods that affect several communities.
This message was emphasized during a stakeholders’ engagement held in Dutsinma Local Government, focusing on the control of erosion, flooding, stormwater, and watershed management.
The event, organized by the Katsina State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (KEWMA), brought together key leaders from Dutsinma, Safana, Batsari, Danmusa, and Kurfi.
Among the attendees were traditional rulers, local government chairmen, directors of education, water, sanitation, and social services.
The Director General of KEWMA, Alhaji Mannir Ayuba Sullubawa, expressed his appreciation for the impressive turnout, crediting it as a major reason for the event’s success. He noted that this engagement is part of Governor Dikko Umar Radda’s wider commitment to community well-being.
According to the DG, the purpose of the meeting was to identify key ecological challenges and seek collaboration with communities and stakeholders to tackle them head-on.
Alhaji Sullubawa also praised the financial and moral support from Governor Dikko Radda, as well as the contribution of the supervising commissioner, Alhaji Hamza Sulaiman Faskari, which helped make the event a success.
Resource persons, Professor Hamisu Ibrahim and Dr. Muktar Balarabe, delivered insightful lectures on the causes, effects, and solutions to erosion and flooding.
In goodwill messages, community leaders including Yandakan Katsina Alhaji Sada Muhammad Sada and the Chairman of Dutsinma LGA, Alhaji Kabir Abdussalam Shema, praised the state government for the initiative and pledged their continued support.
Representatives from NESREA, URPB, SEMA, and the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning also highlighted the dangers of environmental neglect and commended KEWMA’s proactive steps.
The overall message was clear: environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility.