By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
HADEJA Local Government Council of Jigawa says it has commenced the construction of three-kilometer tunnel to create way for excess water from a pond to River Hadejia.
The council’s Information Officer, Muhammad Talaki, made this known in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Dutse.
Talaki stated that the Chairman of the council, Alhaji Ahmed Abba-Ari, made the announcement in Hadejia during the inauguration of the project, worth about N60 million.
He quoted the chairman as saying that “the gesture is part of the council’s efforts to provide lasting solution to recurring flood affecting communities around pond, popularly known as ‘Jaribola.”
Abba-Ari said the annual flooding had been devastating farmlands, markets, displaced families and disrupted livelihoods of residents of the area.
He reiterated the council’s commitment toward finding sustainable solution to the perennial challenges to protect lives and property of the citizens.
He explained that “the tunnel is expected to significantly reduce the impact of the seasonal flooding and enhance water management in the area.”
In his remark, the Head of Works Department of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Ubale, expressed confidence that the company handling the project would execute the job in accordance with contractual agreement reached with the council, along with all required facilities.
NAN reports that a tunnel is an underground or undersea passageway. It is dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ventilation openings at various points along the length.
A tunnel may be for foot, vehicular road traffic or for a canal.(NAN