by Ephraim Ebene.
KAKURI, Kaduna State — The convergence of severe erosion and an overstretched drainage system is becoming a major environmental concern in the Off Gashare area of Kakuri, Kaduna State. The drainage channel begins around Off Gashare Road, passes through Gona, and continues toward the abattoir, where visible signs of environmental degradation continue to expand.
Gona, which was once predominantly farmland, has gradually transformed into a residential community. As development increased, so did the pressure on the drainage infrastructure, while erosion continued to eat away at the surrounding landscape.
During the dry season, the drainage channel increasingly becomes a dumping ground for household refuse. Plastics, food waste, and other solid waste accumulate within the waterway, disrupting the natural flow of water. In several sections, the drainage is also contaminated with human waste, including sewage and faecal matter believed to originate from nearby residential soakaways and open defecation, creating serious environmental and public health concerns.
Despite these hazardous conditions, underage scavengers are seen daily walking barefoot through the polluted drainage with sticks fitted with magnets, searching for scrap metal and recyclable materials. Without boots, gloves, or other protective equipment, they are exposed to contaminated water, sharp objects, and disease-causing pathogens.
When the rains begin, the accumulated waste and sewage are washed downstream, further obstructing water flow and worsening erosion. The combination of erosion, indiscriminate waste disposal, sewage contamination, and unsafe scavenging highlights the growing impact of poor environmental management on vulnerable communities.
This field observation underscores the need for urgent environmental assessment and mitigation to protect public health, restore the drainage system, and prevent further degradation of the area.
Field Report by Ephraim Ebene.
Africa Climate Reporters
