Committee Warns Against Blocking Of Waterways

Kano State Committee on Drainage has warned residents of the state capital against dumping of refuse in drainage and water ways.

The State Government recently set up the committee to assess areas, where structures were erected on waterways and drainage and recommend remedies.

The Chairman of the committee, Alhaji Idris Barkum gave the warning recently, while inspecting some of the areas affected by the recent flood in Kano metropolis.

He said the warning became necessary in view of the devastating effect caused by the flood and to save the affected residents from similar disaster in future.

He attributed the rising cases of malaria to indiscriminate dumping of refuse, adding that drainage were the main breeding centres of mosquitoes.

“We are here to inspect the affected areas and recommend possible action or measures to be taken by the State Government.

“’It is not rainy season now, so we want the residents to tell us their problem so that action can be taken to prevent future reoccurrence,’’ he said.

He said the committee would not hesitate to recommend the demolition of any structure erected on designated waterways and drainage to prevent flooding in the state.

“’I wonder how some people out of sheer selfish-interest can erect structures on designated waterways and drainage not minding what will be the consequences of their actions.’’

A resident of Zoo Road Housing Estate Alhaji Ibrahim Rabo, urged the State Government to take stringent measures against those who erected structures on drainage.

According to him, this is the only way the government can check flood in the metropolis.

The committee had visited Zoo Road Housing Estate, Gandun Albasa, Badawa, Farm Centre and Sabon Gari, among others.