Kano State, the Federal Government of Nigeria, and the World Bank have formed a partnership to tackle the severe environmental challenges posed by gully erosion in the Gayawa area of Ungoggo Local Government Area.
The collaboration is under the Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project, which aims to mitigate the devastating impact of land degradation, improve livelihoods, and enhance the resilience of communities affected by environmental risks.
During a visit to the Gayawa Gully Erosion site, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf revealed that the project would require billions of naira to implement and would be carried out in partnership with the Federal Government and the World Bank
He highlighted the urgency of the intervention stating the erosion has affected the communities of Bulbula-Gayawa, Nasarawa, and Fagge Local Government Areas for decades, has caused extensive loss of farmlands, disruption of daily life, and posed serious threats to the safety of residents.
“The destructive effects of the gully erosion have not only claimed lives but have inflicted untold hardship from the tragic loss of farmlands to the dangers faced by the children as they travel to school.
The site has regrettably become a place where criminal activities flourished, and the loss of children due to flooding during the rainy season is heartbreaking,” he stated.
“Beyond controlling erosion, we are implementing community support programmes to revive livelihoods and rebuild what has been lost. Our livelihood support includes agricultural inputs and skill-building initiatives that will empower families and foster productivity in a secure and peaceful environment,” Governor Yusuf said.