Borno govt dredges rivers, builds culverts to curb flooding

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Borno Government has intensified efforts to curb flooding through river dredging, construction of culverts and drainage infrastructure as well as other water-management interventions across the state.

Mr Babagana Sa’ad, Secretary of the Borno High Court Committee on Flood and Water-Related Matters, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday in Maiduguri.

Sa’ad said the measures were part of the government’s proactive approach to preventing flooding and reducing its impact on communities identified as vulnerable to water-related disasters.

He said the committee had been working closely with relevant government agencies, including the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to assess annual flood forecasts and develop appropriate preparedness measures.

According to him, the committee recently reviewed the 2026 flood outlook in collaboration with NiMet and NEMA.

He said Maiduguri was not listed for flooding in the 2026 forecast, while Shani and Mobar Local Government Areas were identified as areas with potential flooding risks.

Sa’ad said the government had consequently deployed measures to mitigate the impact of possible flooding in the affected areas.

He explained that an enlarged culvert was constructed at Damasak in Mobar following assessments which established that an existing culvert was undersized and contributed to the recurrent flooding of the area.

“Since after that construction, we have not had any report of flooding in Damasak,” he said.
The secretary also said the committee constituted a subcommittee to assess flooding around Bargu in Shani Local Government Area.

He said the assessment established that siltation in the Bargu River was restricting the free flow of water and causing the river to overflow its banks.

“The Bargu River has been dredged and a substantial volume of sand removed to give free flow of stormwater,” he said.

Sa’ad said the intervention had helped reduce flooding in the area, adding that the committee had nevertheless recommended the construction of Reno mattresses along vulnerable sections of the riverbank to provide additional protection against erosion.

He described Reno mattresses as slope-protection structures designed to stabilise riverbanks and prevent further erosion.

The official said the 2024 flood also caused significant damage along the Dikwa road at Bakassi, where floodwater cut off the federal highway and created serious difficulties for residents and travellers.

He said although the road was a federal road, the state government constructed a 10-cell culvert at the location to facilitate the free passage of stormwater.

Sa’ad added that the government had constructed several drainage systems through the Ministry of Works, Borno State Road Maintenance Agency (BORMA) and Ministry of Environment across the state.

According to him, the drainage projects are designed to collect and channel runoff water away from communities and reduce the risk of flooding.

He said the committee also identified and cleared River Tiffa and River Kifi, as well as water channels from Bulunkutu and Gomari leading to River Ngada-Bul and onward through Kano Motor Park to River Yezram.

He explained that the clearing was aimed at restoring the free flow of water and reducing pressure on waterways and riverbanks.
Sa’ad said the government’s flood and erosion control measures also included tree-planting campaigns and watershed management initiatives.

He urged residents to complement government efforts by avoiding the dumping of refuse in drainage channels, keeping waterways clear and supporting measures aimed at protecting riverbanks.

He stressed that effective flood control required sustained collaboration between government agencies, traditional institutions and communities.

Sa’ad said the interventions were expected to improve safety, mobility and livelihoods in vulnerable communities while reducing the damage caused by flooding and erosion.

NAN