Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has inaugurated a N29.69 billion flood and erosion control project aimed at protecting over 213,000 residents of Bauchi metropolis from recurring floods and environmental degradation.

The project, under the ACReSAL programme and funded by the World Bank in partnership with the Federal and Bauchi State governments, will address erosion and flooding in communities including Tsohon Kamfani, Wuntin Dada, Sabon Kaura and Gwallagan Mayaka.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Bauchi, the governor said the intervention would tackle decades of destruction caused by erosion channels that have damaged homes, roads and farmlands across the state capital.

Mohammed said the project would involve land restoration, drainage construction and environmental management measures, adding that about 9,842 hectares of degraded land would be reclaimed.

The Bauchi State ACReSAL Coordinator, Dr Ibrahim Kabir, described the initiative as one of the largest environmental projects in Nigeria, noting that affected residents had already been resettled and empowered with livelihood support.

He added that solar-powered water facilities would also be installed to support irrigation farming and food production in affected communities.