Kano flags off annual drainage clearance to combat flooding
Kano State Government has flagged off its annual drainage clearance exercise at the Baban Gwari Roundabout, a known flood-prone area in the heart of the metropolis.
The decisive move is to prevent recurrent flooding and promote environmental safety ahead of the rainy season.
SolaceBase reports that the flag-off ceremony, held on Friday, was led by the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammed Hashim, who described the exercise as a critical step in mitigating the devastating impacts of blocked waterways and poor refuse disposal in Kano’s urban areas.
“This is not just another government activity,” Dr. Hashim stated. “It is a clear signal of our commitment to proactive environmental governance and urban resilience. We are taking steps ahead of the imminent rainy season to ensure our drainage systems are cleared and operational.”
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The Baban Gwari Roundabout, where the event took place, has long been prone to flooding, affecting the health, safety, and mobility of residents.
Also, the area serves as a key intersection in Kano’s road network and plays a vital role in the Jakara–Kwarin Gogau stormwater system.
Dr. Hashim praised Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his leadership in approving two major interventions that are reshaping the state’s approach to urban flood control. Institutionalisation of the annual drainage clearance as a calendar activity of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, ensuring regular and sustainable desilting of drains across the state and comprehensive renovation of the Baban Gwari Roundabout, integrating modern stormwater infrastructure to address the root causes of perennial flooding while improving traffic flow and pedestrian safety.
The Commissioner emphasized the need for community participation in the fight against urban flooding. “The government will do its part, but lasting change must come from a shared sense of responsibility. We must stop dumping refuse in drainages, we must report blocked drains, and we must support ongoing sanitation reforms,” he said.
He also assured that the ministry has been actively working with communities through a structured process that allows residents to notify the government of local drainage needs. Desilting has already begun in some communities, with waste being evacuated immediately to avoid further blockage.
Responding to questions on collaboration with federal agencies, Dr. Hashim noted that while no formal partnership is currently in place, the state is working independently and promptly to ensure timely interventions. “Time is of essence. In the past, desilting happened late in the season. We are now acting before the rain starts to avoid complaints from the public.”
On the issue of waste management, the commissioner acknowledged progress in curbing indiscriminate dumping, particularly on roadsides. He attributed this to ongoing sensitization campaigns and community engagement, which he said are now entering their final weeks before enforcement begins.
“We marked eight weeks for sensitization under the environmental pollution control law. We’re now in the sixth week. Enforcement will begin with full support from traditional rulers, the Council of Ulemas, and other stakeholders,” he said.
He also hinted at broader reforms, including the privatization of the waste management sector. “We’re working to ensure that the sector is handed over to capable operators under a circular economy model. But we are being careful not to repeat past mistakes.”
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