The Jigawa State Government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to tackle the looming threat of flooding, setting aside a whopping N4 billion to fund prevention efforts and emergency responses across the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting on flood preparedness in Ringim, Dr Abdullahi Sa’ad, Secretary of the Jigawa State Local Governments Councils Vice Chairmen Association of Nigeria, said the initiative follows recent warnings by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). NiMet had listed Jigawa among the high-risk states likely to experience severe flooding this year, potentially affecting as many as 21 local government areas.

To get ahead of the problem, Dr Sa’ad revealed that Local Government Emergency Management Committees have been established under the offices of council vice chairmen. These grassroots bodies will coordinate disaster prevention and ensure swift responses if flooding occurs.

Additionally, the state government has set up a State Flood Committee and formed 20-member committees in each local government area. Their responsibilities include sensitising the public, clearing drainage systems and waterways, and putting other measures in place to reduce flood risks.

At the same event, the Managing Director of the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), Mr Adamu Sabo, confirmed his agency is closely working with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to roll out proactive steps that could lessen the damage if floods strike.

He appealed to residents to actively cooperate with these efforts. “We all need to play our part because prevention is always better—and cheaper—than cure,” he stressed.

With these bold measures, Jigawa is hoping to protect lives and properties from the devastating impacts of flooding, which have repeatedly plagued the state in past years.