The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) on Monday urged Kaduna State residents to avoid dumping refuse in drainage and rivers to prevent flooding.

During an interview with journalists, the area manager, Isah Aliyu, said the authority was collaborating with the relevant stakeholders to prevent flooding.

“ As the rain begins, we had a stakeholders meeting with the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)on how to avoid floods in the state.

“We went round the Kaduna metropolis to sensitise residents to the issue; where it warrants, we plan to clear water channels in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment so as to avoid flood,” he said.

Mr Aliyu explained that the authority had taken the sensitisation campaign to communities, enlightening them on the dangers of dumping refuse in drainage and rivers while warning them not to erect structures along waterways.

He said NIWA had collaborated with the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Agency (KASUPDA), which is in charge of demolishing any structure found along the 100 metres perpendicular on both sides.

Mr Aliyu explained, “NIWA is not in Kaduna to disturb its citizens, but rather to see how the people would live in a livable and clean environment.”

While addressing boat riders, the area manager said the authority had commenced a sensitisation campaign on the need for operators to register with NIWA.

” Just like if you have a car, you can’t use the road without being registered by the VIO and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

” This is the same to NIWA, you cannot just come and put your boat into the river until you are registered, and even the boat operator is given a licence,” Mr Aliyu said.

(NAN)