By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
After decades of expectations from previous governments to address the flooding and water shed nature of Mabera Area in Sokoto metropolis , residents had cause to smile as the state government has committed over N1billion counterpart funding for the construction of drainages within the area.
The project which is World Bank assisted is expected to address the perennial problems of flood and water shedd affecting residents in the area.
Residents have over the years been subjected to environmental and natural threats ranging from flood and erosion particularly during rainy season as most roads leading to the area which is densely populated are not accessible.
During rainy season, residents are not safe from flooding incidences resulting to lost of property to denying pupils of going to schools as roads are always swallowed by flooding waters.
Speaking Monday at a brief interactive session to flag off the first stage of the project process which is the SCOP-C already mapped out for the execution of the work, the Project Coordinator and Representative of the state Commissioner for Works, Ibrahim Umaru Gatawa said the amount represents 12.5% of the World Bank commitment.
According to him, similar works would be executed across ten local governments where residents and communities were faced with the issue of flooding, erosion and water shedd.
He said ” the issue of Mabera among hundreds others is fast receiving attention of the state government.”
According to Gatawa, compensations would be paid to residents directly affected by the development.
Gatawa who is also NEWMAP Official, explained that it will provide the scope of the water shed depending on the magnitude.
He assured that every single area will be captured after which a team of engineers whose design and other technical aspects would determine the implementation and cost of the project.
Ealier, the Project Manager -Team Lead of Caliph Techno, Buda Garba said his team has conducted a soil survey and test in collaboration with a team of experts from Kano, assuring that it will mobilize its personnel and materials to facilitate the completion of the first stage which would be monitored and evaluated to enable the commencement of the next stage.
Also, the community head, Alhaji Umaru Bello Magaji who is the Magaji Mabera, expressed appreciation to the state government for attending to their yearnings over the years on the sufferings of the people of Mabera.
” We have been looking up to this moment for years. Today we are happy that Tambuwal’s government has remembered us and pray it will benefit our people and last the test of time.”
Vice Chairman, Sokoto South local government, Alhaji Umar Farouk who noted that Mabera has been one of the flood ridden areas in Sokoto metropolis especially during rainy season, said the patience of residents in the area has been crowned with solution today.
Farouk who stood in for his Boss said” it is good that today Mabera is part of areas in tune with the positive efforts of government’s for realising it’s dreams.”
I did not last night Tambuwal said: his administration have pays over one billion for Mabera counterpart project. Is that so,?