Bauchi Flood Control Project | By George Coben, Bauchi
The Bauchi flood control project received a major boost on Wednesday as Governor Bala Mohammed performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the ₦29.6 billion World Bank-funded flood and erosion control intervention targeting vulnerable communities across Bauchi State.
For years, residents of Tsohon Kampani along Jos Road to Gwallagan Mayaka in Bauchi Local Government Area have lived with the devastating impact of erosion and flooding, especially during the rainy season when homes, roads, farmlands, and livelihoods come under serious threat.
The latest intervention by the Bauchi State Government is expected to bring long-awaited relief to the affected communities through extensive flood and erosion control measures under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Governor Mohammed described the project as one of the strategic environmental interventions his administration is implementing in partnership with the World Bank to mitigate the effects of climate change and environmental degradation across the state.
According to him, the ₦29.6 billion project forms part of broader efforts aimed at building resilient communities, restoring degraded land, and modernizing urban infrastructure in Bauchi State.
“I assure the benefitting communities that government has already paid 40 percent of the contract sum as mobilization to Triacta Nigeria Limited, while the remaining amount is fully available for the execution of the project,” the governor stated.
Governor Mohammed stressed that the availability of funds means the contractor has no justification for delay, adding that the state government expects timely and quality execution of the project in line with agreed specifications.
He explained that the intervention is a major component of the Bauchi Urban Renewal Project and aligns with Bauchi Project II, an ambitious urban development framework aimed at improving infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience across the state.
The governor lamented the scale of destruction caused by erosion and flood disasters over the years, noting that what initially started as minor stormwater channels gradually expanded into massive erosion corridors measuring up to 60 meters wide and 50 meters deep.
According to him, the worsening environmental situation has destroyed homes, displaced families, damaged roads, ruined agricultural lands, and negatively affected economic activities in the affected communities.
Governor Mohammed further disclosed that the Bauchi flood control project is expected to restore about 9,842 hectares of degraded land while providing direct environmental protection and safety for more than 213,000 residents living within vulnerable areas.
He noted that beyond addressing environmental challenges, the project would also improve socio-economic activities by protecting critical infrastructure and reducing losses associated with seasonal flooding.
The governor commended Triacta Nigeria Limited for accepting the responsibility of executing the massive project and expressed confidence in the company’s ability to deliver according to expectations.
He also acknowledged the support and partnership of the World Bank, the Federal Government, and the ACReSAL project implementation team for their commitment toward addressing environmental challenges in Bauchi State.
Special recognition was given to the Bauchi State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, for coordinating the implementation process and ensuring the project moved from planning to execution stage.
Governor Mohammed emphasized the importance of community participation throughout the implementation process, urging residents of the benefiting communities to take ownership of the project through proper monitoring and support.
He said community involvement remains essential to safeguarding the infrastructure from misuse and ensuring long-term sustainability of the intervention.
The Bauchi flood control project is among several environmental and infrastructure initiatives being implemented by the Bala Mohammed administration to combat the growing effects of climate change, urban flooding, land degradation, and erosion in different parts of the state.
Residents and stakeholders who attended the ceremony expressed optimism that the intervention would significantly reduce the annual hardship experienced during the rainy season and protect lives and property in vulnerable communities.
Stakeholders believe the Bauchi flood control project will significantly reduce environmental disasters and improve living conditions in affected communities. The project is expected to commence fully in the coming weeks with construction activities already being mobilized to site following the official groundbreaking ceremony.
