Kano State Government Initiates Annual Drainage Clearance Exercise Amidst Rainy Season

The Kano State Government has kicked off its annual drainage clearance exercise to mitigate flooding, with the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, flagging off the exercise at the Baban Gwari Roundabout on Katsina Road, a flood-prone area in the Kano metropolis. This initiative is aimed at addressing urban flooding and promoting environmental sustainability, as mandated by Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf. Dr Hashim emphasized the importance of collective effort in sustainable environmental management, urging residents to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and report blocked drains to relevant authorities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Kano State Government has initiated its annual drainage clearance exercise to mitigate flooding ahead of the rainy season, with the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr Dahiru Hashim, flagging off the exercise at the Baban Gwari Roundabout.
• The exercise aims to address urban flooding and promote environmental sustainability, as institutionalized under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
• The commissioner commended Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf for approving the formalization of the annual exercise and the rehabilitation of key infrastructure in the area.
• Residents are urged to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal and report blocked drains to relevant authorities to ensure sustainable environmental management.
• Progress has been recorded in reducing roadside dumping of refuse, attributed to ongoing public sensitization campaigns.
• Enforcement of the environmental pollution control law will commence after an eight-week sensitization campaign, which is currently in its sixth week.

Statistics:

• There is no current partnership with federal agencies on the drainage clearance exercise.
• The state government is taking independent steps to intervene before the onset of heavy rains.
• The ongoing public sensitization campaign has been underway for six weeks.

Sources:

• (Voice of Nigeria), 13 June 2025