KANO — The Kano State Government says it has spent N120 million on the rehabilitation of four of its 17 dams located in different parts of the state this year.

Comissioner for Water Resources, Dr Yunusa Dangwani, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano, yesterday.

He said the rehabilitation of the dams was carried out to avert possible flooding as some of the dams were in bad shape.

Dangwani identified the affected dams as Magaga, Tudun Wada, Bagauda and Guzu-guzu.

He said that the state government was able to rehabilitate three other dams last year — Kusalla, Jakara, and Tomas.

“We had a report from NEMA about the possible increase of rainfall this year and possible flooding; that was why we embarked on the rehabilitation of the bad dams.

“But even before we received NEMA’s report, we had our plans in view of what happened last year.”

According to him, before the arrival of the rainy season, the state government had sent a team of experts who assessed all the dams, with a view to taking precautionary measures.

“We shall continue to ensure that all the valves are functioning, so that when the dams are full to capacity, we can release some of the water in order not to cause any flooding in the state.”

Dangwani gave the assurance that the state government would rehabilitate the remaining dams next year.

He said the state government had carried out public enlightenment programmes to sensitise communities living around the dams on the need to report any possible danger.