The government of Katsina has granted authorization to the state Urban and Regional Planning Board (URPB) to demolish any structure built on waterways in the state.
This decision was made in response to the recent flooding that has occurred in Katsina.
The government is taking proactive measures to prevent future flooding and to ensure the safety of the people within the state.
The deputy governor, Hon. Faruq Jobe, gave the order after he inspected some flooded areas in Katsina city.
He said the decision was to control flooding in the state adding that URPB will be responsible for identifying and demolishing any structures that are located on waterways.
Jobe instructed the board to identify and demolish all structures constructed on waterways to allow 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,” Jobe said.
“So, they (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 cautioned residents to refrain from 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 truncated government’s efforts” by building on waterways.
Regarding flood control measures, he 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.
