Hadejia Local Government Council of Jigawa State said it has commenced the construction of three-kilometer tunnel to create way for excess water from a pond to River Hadejia.
The council’s Information Officer, Muhammad Talaki, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, yesterday in Dutse.
Talaki stated that the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ahmed Abba-Ari, made the announcement in Hadejia during the inauguration of the project worth N60 million.
He quoted the chairman as saying that “the gesture is part of the council’s efforts to provide lasting solutions to the recurring flood affecting communities around pond, popularly known as Jaribola.”
Abba-Ari said the annual flooding had been devastating farmlands, markets, displaced families and disrupted the livelihoods of residents.
He reiterated the council’s commitment toward finding sustainable solution to the perennial challenges to protect lives and property of citizens.
He explained that “the tunnel is expected to significantly reduce the impact of the seasonal flooding and enhance water management in the area.”
In his remark, the Head of Works Department of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Ubale, expressed confidence that the company handling the project would execute the job in accordance with the contractual agreement, alongside the required facilities.
NAN reports that a tunnel is an underground or undersea passageway. It was dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ventilation openings at various points along the length.
A tunnel may be for foot, vehicular road traffic or for a canal.
Flooding has remained a major challenge in Jigawa, with heavy rains and overflowing rivers displacing thousands of residents in recent years.
