Civil Society Coalition Sounds Alarm on Dangers of Building Along Waterways…
By AbdulHakeem Mutiu Adejumo-Ajeseku, Kaduna-Nigeria
BTvNEWS: A coalition of civil society organizations and environmental advocates conducted an assessment tour of flood-affected communities in Kaduna metropolis on Wednesday, warning against the dangers of building houses along waterways.
The team, led by Rev. Kuzasuwah Ishaya Peter, Executive Director of Love N Compassion (LOCOM) and State Coordinator of the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), aimed to evaluate the level of damage caused by this year’s flooding on residents and farmlands along the riverbanks.
During the tour, Rev. Peter observed that many families continue to live in high-risk flood zones despite the dangers involved.
“We observed people still residing in flood-prone areas with their families. This is unsafe because flooding often brings waterborne diseases and rodents that endanger entire communities,” he stated.
He emphasized that building houses along riverbanks or waterways worsens the flooding problem.
Rev. Peter urged the state government to demolish illegal structures built on waterways and provide alternative settlements for the affected residents to prevent further loss of lives and property.
He also advised tenants living in such areas to relocate voluntarily for their own safety, BTV News reports.
“It is painful to see parents and children exposed to such risks. I don’t know who granted the permits for these houses, but I doubt they went through the right channels. Government intervention is urgently needed,” he added.
During the same tour, Comrade Nasiru Abbas, Director of the Water Right Initiative (WRI), expressed concern over the devastating impact of the floods.
“What we witnessed shocked us. The floods have displaced families, destroyed properties, and forced people to migrate. We are calling on the government to stop the sale of land near rivers and dams and to develop long-term measures to protect residents,” Abbas stated.
In the same vein, Ibrahima Yakubu, Head of Communication and Strategies at African Climate Reporters (ACR), commended the state government for its ongoing river dredging projects in flood-prone areas.
“This is an important step in reducing the risk of future floods,” he said.
Yakubu also called on citizens to stop indiscriminate dumping of waste into drainages, which contributes significantly to flooding.
The team visited Unguwar Rimi, Kabala Costain, Kigo Road, and Bashama Road in Tudun Wada, Kaduna.
Yakubu commended the participation of civil society groups, NGOs, and journalists in the assessment, highlighting their valuable contribution.
A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited poverty and inadequate government support as the root cause of their situation.
“No one wants to live here, but it’s the situation we find ourselves in,” he stated.
BTvNEWS 
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