Kaduna State government on Saturday warned residents in the state to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse on water ways to guide against flooding.
The commissioner for the Environment and Natural Resources, Shehu Giwa, made this known during a tour of some environmental and water projects in the state.
He said there was the need to complete desilting of Kaduna river to allow free flow of water to prevent perennial flood, cholera, malaria as well as healthier environment.
The commissioner said the state government will continue to execute sustainable projects that will improve the quality of life of residents.
According to him, after careful study of Kaduna environment including its vegetation and rivers, the state government came up with the idea of desilting the smaller rivers and canals that have direct link into River Kaduna.
“Work is in progress, government’s effort at desilting the river from Tudun Wada, Kaduna North and terminated at Nassarawa, Kakuri in Kaduna South local government area of the state is ongoing.
“This will address most ailment that are associated with stagnant water like malaria and cholera, check flood and improve quality of live of aquatic.
“It is however important that those who live at flood prone areas should join hand with government by away of keeping their waste in bags and discourage all manners of indiscriminate dumping of refuse by others,” he said.
Earlier, the managing director and Chief Executive Officer of ZL Global Alliance, Mrs Abiola Bashorun , while conveying journalists round the desilted rivers ,complained of the poor attitude of residents of Kigo New Extension to the environment including indiscriminate disposal of refuse.
“We have just launched the door-to-door revenue and waste collection project in collaboration with Kaduna government and Kaduna State Internal Revenue Services (KADITS).
That means residents can now carefully concede their refuse in bags and keep it where our mobile train can easily pick them up.
”We have already engaged more than 1,500 and we are in the process of adding to that number. So, people don’t have reason to dump refuse indiscriminately any longer,”she added.
Also speaking, General Manager, ZL Global Alliance,Mr Olamire Mene said, the completion of the exercise is just the first phase, saying that the next stage will be the dredging of River Kaduna.
He said that will bring many opportunities to the government and residents in the state.
NAN reports that the inspection covered Kigo new extension, Angwan Yaro, Badarawa, Malali and Nassarawa, Kakuri areas of the state.(NAN)