The Jigawa government says it will deploy six amphibious excavators for aquatic weed clearance and dredging in the Hadejia River to mitigate flooding.

Governor Umar Namadi said this during the distribution of working tools to 15 community-based organisations (CBOs) on Saturday in Auyo, the headquarters of Auyo Local Government Area of the state.

He said riverine settlements and water-user communities were being supported in recognition of their roles in channel clearance and environmental sanitation.

Mr Namadi said the state government procured two additional amphibious excavators under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project to complement the existing two.

“With two more units previously provided by the Hadejia–Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), six amphibious excavators will now be available for weed clearance and channel dredging across the state,” he said.

Mr Namadi said the deployment would accelerate ongoing work and build on the 180 kilometres of desilted waterways to ease water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in the state.

He said the initiative underscored his administration’s commitment to environmental protection, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and community participation in local development.

The governor said the initiative also aligned with his administration’s 12-point agenda, particularly in the areas of community participation, environmental sustainability, inclusive development, and effective land and natural resource management.

“While this commitment is broad, the focus is specifically on protecting riverine communities and waterways from invasive aquatic weeds, which heighten the risk of flooding, loss of farmlands and disruption of livelihoods.

“It is also consistent with my inaugural commitment to prioritise environmental sustainability by conserving natural resources, strengthening agro-climatic resilience and safeguarding livelihoods from adverse effects of environmental degradation,” he said.

Nura Ibrahim, Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, said the intervention focused on empowering CBOs with tools and materials to participate in aquatic weed management and environmental conservation.

Mr Ibrahim said aquatic weeds ravage rivers and water bodies, blocking water channels, making fishing and farming difficult, and reducing the productivity of wetlands.

“This affects the livelihoods of many families that depend daily on such resources.

“The materials being distributed today are more than just tools; they represent an investment in our communities, a practical step towards protecting our waterways and promoting a cleaner environment,” he said.

Mr Ibrahim urged the organisations to work in collaboration with government agencies, traditional leaders and community members to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme.

The tools distributed include 1,000 sacks, 25 canoes, 1,000 sickles, 500 cutlasses, 500 shovels, 500 head pans, 300 hoes, 200 axes, among other tools.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has identified 17 local government areas and 148 communities across the state as moderate flood-risk areas in the 2026 rainy season outlook.   

 (NAN)