The Katsina State government has endorsed the demolition of structures built on waterways in the state by the state Urban and Regional Planning Board (URPB). 

The approval came after the deputy governor, Hon. Faruq Jobe inspected some flooded areas in Katsina city stating that the decision was to control flooding in the state. He asked the board to identify and demolish all structures erected on waterways to allow the free flow of water naturally and channels constructed by the government.

Jobe said illegal structures and indiscriminate dumping of waste by residents, particularly in drainages, were the causes of the recent flood which ravaged Sabon-Ungwa, Tudun Katsira, Kofar Kaura, Kofar Marusa, and Kofar Kwaya. “We have ordered the state Urban and Regional Planning Board to demolish all houses and other structures built on waterways in the affected communities to allow free flow of water. “So, they (the board) will go and sit down with the affected persons to develop a plan that will pave the way for the immediate reconstruction of water channels that had been blocked by the illegal structures to prevent the impacts of flooding in the state, he said

He warned residents to stop dumping waste indiscriminately, building on waterways, and to promote good hygiene practices in order to arrest floods in the state. Explaining that the previous government of Aminu Bello Masari expanded billions of naira on construction of drainages to tackle flooding but some “bad eggs” had truncated government’s efforts by building on waterways. Commenting on curtailing the flood, Faruq said the present administration of Dikko Umaru Radda has commenced the expansion and rehabilitation of drainages in the state.

He, however, said the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has been directed to assess the immediate needs of the recent flood victims for onward provision of relief materials by the government.