Bauchi to access N30bn World Bank facility to address flood, other environmental challenges

In an effort to curb environmental problems caused by flood disasters witnessed in various local government areas during this year’s rainy season, Bauchi State Government is to access an N30bn World Bank grant.

The disclosure was made by the Director-General of Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), Dr Kabir Ibrahim, during the commencement of evacuation of sand that covered some areas of Cheledi, in Kirfi local government area during the rainy season.

The BASEPA DG said that the issue of flood disaster in the state was rampant as it ravaged many local government areas including Kirfi which was so devastating that the state government solicited the support of the World Bank.

He explained that the state government agreed to contribute N1billion as counterpart fund which will be captured in the proposed 2022 state budget saying, “we know that the state government cannot do it alone, that was why we asked for World Bank’s intervention funding, which they promised after paying the counterpart and is one of the state government priority at the moment.”

Chairman of Kirfi local government council, Garba Musa Bara, reiterated the determination of the people of the area to contribute their quota in the evacuation exercise.

He said that “we have been able to get the listening ears of the DG of BASEPA who mobilized to come here and evacuate the sand that is a menace to us. it will be cleared from our pathways, the arrangement is made to run away from that would eventually bring such disaster in future.”

The district head of Cheledi, Alhaji Sale Bello, maintained that they are always ready to abide by the laws of the land, and respect for constituted authority.

Residents of Cheledi explained that the sand evacuation exercise was timely considering that the harvesting period has commenced, while preparing for the next line of action for irrigation farming, saying that they are all peasant farmers that relied on what they cultivated.

They also appreciated the state government and stakeholders for making sure that the exercise would no doubt help them forget the recent past flood disasters in the area.

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World Bank facility to address flood | World Bank facility to address flood | World Bank facility to address flood